Emeka Nweze
According to the bible, before the first man sinned, man and animals coexisted and lived happily in the garden of Eden. This fondness was soon to be cut short when man sinned and God cast him out of the garden. Whether you believe that story or not, humans and animals don’t really coexist that much again, and both species aren’t safe around each other. Humans hunt animals, and animals are wired to instinctively attack when they feel threatened. As a result of this, millions of humans die from animal attacks annually, and below are the top culprits.
1. Mosquitoes – 1 million deaths per year
As little as they are, mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on earth. They often act as vectors, for many disease-causing bacteria, viruses or parasites which they transmit to humans. Nearly 700 million people get a mosquito-borne illness each year resulting in over one million deaths. The most famous disease caused by mosquitoes is malaria, but Mosquito-borne illnesses stretch wide and include dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, Zika virus among others.
2. Humans – 475,000 deaths per year
This definitely should not come as a surprise, especially in a world filled with so much violence, conflict, war, murders, acts of terrorism etc. While normal animals kill because it is basically in their nature, human murders are often premeditated, making it more sinister and disturbing.
3. Snakes – 50,000 deaths per year
Snakes are naturally deadly and I’d rather stay away from them, but sometimes you don’t have to deliberately go near them before getting bitten. Some snakes are able to camouflage themselves, and when an unsuspecting human walksby, the snake feels threatened and instinctively attacks. Snake bites lead to over 50,000 deaths yearly.
4. Dogs – 25,000
Sometimes man’s best friend can decide to be not so friendly which often leads to savage maulings. Aside from bites, dogs also carry diseases like rabies, which they spread to humans.
5.Tsetse flies – 10,000
Tsetse flies are popular in certain underdeveloped regions in Africa for carrying parasites that cause the sleeping sickness disease. Deaths caused by tsetse flies are estimated to be up to 10,000 annually.
6. Assassin bugs – 10,000 deaths per year
Assassin bugs, also known as Kissing bugs, are known to be attracted to lights in homes. Their bites spread parasites that cause Chagas disease which major organ failure and leads to 10,000 deaths every year.
7. Freshwater snails – 10,000 deaths per year
Freshwater snails carry schistosomiasis which they transfer to humans living in unsanitary environments. Schistosomiasis causes flu-like symptoms, blood-vomits, leg paralysis and death.
8. Scorpions – 3,250 deaths per year
The estimated annual number of scorpion stings is 1.2 million leading to 3250 deaths. Pain, numbness and tingling, slight swelling and warmth are the effects of getting stung by a scorpion.
