List of epidemics and pandemics

This is a list of the largest known epidemics and pandemics caused by an infectious disease in humans. Widespread non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer are not included. An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time; in meningococcal infections, an attack rate in excess of 15 cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks is considered an epidemic. Due to the long time spans, the first plague pandemic (6th century – 8th century) and the second plague pandemic (14th century – early 19th century) are shown by individual outbreaks, such as the Plague of Justinian (first pandemic) and the Black Death (second pandemic). Infectious diseases with high prevalence are listed separately (sometimes in addition to their epidemics), such as malaria, which may have killed 50–60 million people.

Tables

Epidemics and pandemics with at least 1 million deaths · Major epidemics and pandemics › By death toll

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1918 "Spanish" influenza pandemic

Disease

Influenza A/H1N1

Death toll

25–100 million

Percentage of population lost

1–5 % of global population

Years

1918–1920

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Plague of Justinian

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll

15–100 million

Percentage of population lost

25–60% of European population

Years

541–549

Location

North Africa, Europe, and Western Asia

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

HIV/AIDS pandemic

Disease

HIV/AIDS

Death toll

45 million (as of 2026)

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1981–present

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Black Death

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll

25–50 million

Percentage of population lost

30–60% of European population

Years

1346–1353

Location

Europe, Asia, and North Africa

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

COVID-19 pandemic

Disease

COVID-19

Death toll

7 –38 million(as of 2026)

Percentage of population lost

0 %

Years

2019–present

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Third plague pandemic

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll

12–15 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1855–1960

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Cocoliztli epidemic of 1545–1548

Disease

Cocoliztli, caused by an unidentified pathogen

Death toll

5–15 million

Percentage of population lost

27–80% of Mexican population

Years

1545–1548

Location

Mexico

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Antonine Plague

Disease

Smallpox or measles

Death toll

5–10 million

Percentage of population lost

25–33% of Roman population

Years

165–180 (possibly up to 190)

Location

Roman Empire

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll

5–8 million

Percentage of population lost

23–37% of Mexican population

Years

1519–1520

Location

Mexico

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1957–1958 influenza pandemic

Disease

Influenza A/H2N2

Death toll

1–4 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1957–1958

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Hong Kong flu

Disease

Influenza A/H3N2

Death toll

1–4 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1968–1969

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1918–1922 Russia typhus epidemic

Disease

Typhus

Death toll

2–3 million

Percentage of population lost

1–1 % of Russian population

Years

1918–1922

Location

Russia

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Cocoliztli epidemic of 1576

Disease

Cocoliztli

Death toll

2–2 million

Percentage of population lost

50% of Mexican population

Years

1576–1580

Location

Mexico

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1772–1773 Persian Plague

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll

2 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1772–1773

Location

Persia

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll

2 million

Percentage of population lost

33% of Japanese population

Years

735–737

Location

Japan

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

Naples Plague

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll

1 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1656–1658

Location

Southern Italy

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1889–1890 pandemic

Disease

Influenza or human coronavirus OC43

Death toll

1 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1889–1890

Location

Worldwide

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1629–1631 Italian plague

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll

1 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1629–1631

Location

Italy

Rank

Epidemics/pandemics

1846–1860 cholera pandemic

Disease

Cholera

Death toll

1 million

Percentage of population lost

–

Years

1846–1860

Location

Worldwide

Rank	Epidemics/pandemics	Disease	Death toll	Percentage of population lost	Years	Location
1	1918 "Spanish" influenza pandemic	Influenza A/H1N1	25–100 million	1–5 % of global population	1918–1920	Worldwide
2	Plague of Justinian	Bubonic plague	15–100 million	25–60% of European population	541–549	North Africa, Europe, and Western Asia
3	HIV/AIDS pandemic	HIV/AIDS	45 million (as of 2026)	–	1981–present	Worldwide
4	Black Death	Bubonic plague	25–50 million	30–60% of European population	1346–1353	Europe, Asia, and North Africa
5	COVID-19 pandemic	COVID-19	7 –38 million(as of 2026)	0 %	2019–present	Worldwide
6	Third plague pandemic	Bubonic plague	12–15 million	–	1855–1960	Worldwide
7	Cocoliztli epidemic of 1545–1548	Cocoliztli, caused by an unidentified pathogen	5–15 million	27–80% of Mexican population	1545–1548	Mexico
8	Antonine Plague	Smallpox or measles	5–10 million	25–33% of Roman population	165–180 (possibly up to 190)	Roman Empire
9	1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic	Smallpox	5–8 million	23–37% of Mexican population	1519–1520	Mexico
10	1957–1958 influenza pandemic	Influenza A/H2N2	1–4 million	–	1957–1958	Worldwide
11	Hong Kong flu	Influenza A/H3N2	1–4 million	–	1968–1969	Worldwide
12	1918–1922 Russia typhus epidemic	Typhus	2–3 million	1–1 % of Russian population	1918–1922	Russia
13	Cocoliztli epidemic of 1576	Cocoliztli	2–2 million	50% of Mexican population	1576–1580	Mexico
14	1772–1773 Persian Plague	Bubonic plague	2 million	–	1772–1773	Persia
15	735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic	Smallpox	2 million	33% of Japanese population	735–737	Japan
16	Naples Plague	Bubonic plague	1 million	–	1656–1658	Southern Italy
17	1889–1890 pandemic	Influenza or human coronavirus OC43	1 million	–	1889–1890	Worldwide
18	1629–1631 Italian plague	Bubonic plague	1 million	–	1629–1631	Italy
19	1846–1860 cholera pandemic	Cholera	1 million	–	1846–1860	Worldwide

Chronological table of epidemic and pandemic events before the 1500s · Chronology › Pre-1500s

1350 BC plague of Megiddo

Event

1350 BC plague of Megiddo

Years

1350 BC (circa)

Location

Megiddo, land of Canaan

Disease

Unknown. In the Amarna letters EA 244, Biridiya, the mayor of Megiddo complains to Amenhotep III of his area being "consumed by death, plague and dust"

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Hittite Plague/"Hand of Nergal"

Event

Hittite Plague/"Hand of Nergal"

Years

1330 BC (circa)

Location

Near East, Hittite Empire, Alashiya, possibly Egypt

Disease

Unknown, possibly Tularemia. Mentioned in Amarna letter EA 35 as the "Hand of Nergal", cause of death of Šuppiluliuma I.

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Plague of Athens

Event

Plague of Athens

Years

430–426 BC

Location

Greece, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia

Disease

Unknown, possibly typhus, typhoid fever or viral hemorrhagic fever

Death toll (estimate)

75,000–100,000

412 BC epidemic

Event

412 BC epidemic

Years

412 BC

Location

Greece (Northern Greece, Roman Republic)

Disease

Unknown, possibly influenza

Death toll (estimate)

473,000 (10% of the Roman Population)

Antonine Plague

Event

Antonine Plague

Years

165–180 (possibly up to 190)

Location

Roman Empire

Disease

Unknown, possibly smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

5–10 million

Plague of Cyprian

Event

Plague of Cyprian

Years

249–262

Location

Europe

Disease

Unknown, possibly smallpox or viral hemorrhagic fever

Death toll (estimate)

310,000

Plague of Justinian (beginning of first plague pandemic)

Event

Plague of Justinian (beginning of first plague pandemic)

Years

541–549

Location

Europe and West Asia

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

15–100 million

580 Dysentery Epidemic in Gaul

Event

580 Dysentery Epidemic in Gaul

Years

580

Location

Gaul

Disease

Dysentery or possibly smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

450,000 (10% of the Gaul population)

Roman Plague of 590 (part of first plague pandemic)

Event

Roman Plague of 590 (part of first plague pandemic)

Years

590

Location

Rome, Byzantine Empire

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Plague of Sheroe (part of first plague pandemic)

Event

Plague of Sheroe (part of first plague pandemic)

Years

627–628

Location

Bilad al-Sham

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

25,000+

Plague of Amwas (part of first plague pandemic)

Event

Plague of Amwas (part of first plague pandemic)

Years

638–639

Location

Byzantine Empire, West Asia, Africa

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

25,000+

Plague of 664 (part of first plague pandemic)

Event

Plague of 664 (part of first plague pandemic)

Years

664–689

Location

British Isles

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Plague of 698–701 (part of first plague pandemic)

Event

Plague of 698–701 (part of first plague pandemic)

Years

698–701

Location

Byzantine Empire, West Asia, Syria, Mesopotamia

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic

Event

735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic

Years

735–737

Location

Japan

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

2 million (approx. 1⁄3 of Japanese population)

Plague of 746–747 (part of first plague pandemic)

Event

Plague of 746–747 (part of first plague pandemic)

Years

746–747

Location

Byzantine Empire, West Asia, Africa

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Black Death (start of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Black Death (start of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1346–1353

Location

Eurasia and North Africa

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

25–50 million (30–60% of European population and 33% percent of the Middle Eastern population)

Sweating sickness (multiple outbreaks)

Event

Sweating sickness (multiple outbreaks)

Years

1485–1551

Location

Britain (England) and later continental Europe

Disease

Unknown, possibly an unknown species of hantavirus

Death toll (estimate)

10,000+

1489 Spain typhus epidemic

Event

1489 Spain typhus epidemic

Years

1489

Location

Spain

Disease

Typhus

Death toll (estimate)

17,000

Event	Years	Location	Disease	Death toll (estimate)	Ref.
1350 BC plague of Megiddo	1350 BC (circa)	Megiddo, land of Canaan	Unknown. In the Amarna letters EA 244, Biridiya, the mayor of Megiddo complains to Amenhotep III of his area being "consumed by death, plague and dust"	Unknown
Hittite Plague/"Hand of Nergal"	1330 BC (circa)	Near East, Hittite Empire, Alashiya, possibly Egypt	Unknown, possibly Tularemia. Mentioned in Amarna letter EA 35 as the "Hand of Nergal", cause of death of Šuppiluliuma I.	Unknown
Plague of Athens	430–426 BC	Greece, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia	Unknown, possibly typhus, typhoid fever or viral hemorrhagic fever	75,000–100,000
412 BC epidemic	412 BC	Greece (Northern Greece, Roman Republic)	Unknown, possibly influenza	473,000 (10% of the Roman Population)
Antonine Plague	165–180 (possibly up to 190)	Roman Empire	Unknown, possibly smallpox	5–10 million
Jian'an Plague	217	Han dynasty	Unknown, possibly typhoid fever or viral hemorrhagic fever	2 million
Plague of Cyprian	249–262	Europe	Unknown, possibly smallpox or viral hemorrhagic fever	310,000
Plague of Justinian (beginning of first plague pandemic)	541–549	Europe and West Asia	Bubonic plague	15–100 million
580 Dysentery Epidemic in Gaul	580	Gaul	Dysentery or possibly smallpox	450,000 (10% of the Gaul population)
Roman Plague of 590 (part of first plague pandemic)	590	Rome, Byzantine Empire	Bubonic plague	Unknown
Plague of Sheroe (part of first plague pandemic)	627–628	Bilad al-Sham	Bubonic plague	25,000+
Plague of Amwas (part of first plague pandemic)	638–639	Byzantine Empire, West Asia, Africa	Bubonic plague	25,000+
Plague of 664 (part of first plague pandemic)	664–689	British Isles	Bubonic plague	Unknown
Plague of 698–701 (part of first plague pandemic)	698–701	Byzantine Empire, West Asia, Syria, Mesopotamia	Bubonic plague	Unknown
735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic	735–737	Japan	Smallpox	2 million (approx. 1⁄3 of Japanese population)
Plague of 746–747 (part of first plague pandemic)	746–747	Byzantine Empire, West Asia, Africa	Bubonic plague	Unknown
Black Death (start of the second plague pandemic)	1346–1353	Eurasia and North Africa	Bubonic plague	25–50 million (30–60% of European population and 33% percent of the Middle Eastern population)
Sweating sickness (multiple outbreaks)	1485–1551	Britain (England) and later continental Europe	Unknown, possibly an unknown species of hantavirus	10,000+
1489 Spain typhus epidemic	1489	Spain	Typhus	17,000

Chronological table of epidemic and pandemic events that started in the 1500s · Chronology › 1500s

1510 influenza pandemic

Event

1510 influenza pandemic

Years

1510

Location

Asia, North Africa, Europe

Disease

Influenza

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown, around 1% of those infected

1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic

Event

1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic

Years

1519–1520

Location

Mexico

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

5–8 million (40% of population)

Cocoliztli epidemic of 1545–1548

Event

Cocoliztli epidemic of 1545–1548

Years

1545–1548

Location

Mexico

Disease

Possibly Salmonella enterica

Death toll (estimate)

5–15 million (80% of population)

1557 influenza pandemic

Event

1557 influenza pandemic

Years

1557–1559

Location

Asia, Africa, Europe, and Americas

Disease

Influenza

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown (10% of the infected)

1561 Chile smallpox epidemic

Event

1561 Chile smallpox epidemic

Years

1561–1562

Location

Chile

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

120,000–150,000 (20–25% of native population)

1563 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1563 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1563–1564

Location

London, England

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

20,100+

Cocoliztli epidemic of 1576

Event

Cocoliztli epidemic of 1576

Years

1576–1580

Location

Mexico

Disease

Possibly Salmonella enterica

Death toll (estimate)

2–2 million (50% of population)

1582 Tenerife plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1582 Tenerife plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1582–1583

Location

Tenerife, Spain

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

5,000–9,000

1592–1596 Seneca nation measles epidemic

Event

1592–1596 Seneca nation measles epidemic

Years

1592–1596

Location

Seneca nation, North America

Disease

Measles

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1592–1593 Malta plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1592–1593 Malta plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1592–1593

Location

Malta

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

3,000

1592–1593 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1592–1593 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1592–1593

Location

London, England

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

19,900+

1596–1602 Spain plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1596–1602 Spain plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1596–1602

Location

Spain

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

600,000–700,000

Event	Years	Location	Disease	Death toll (estimate)	Ref.
1510 influenza pandemic	1510	Asia, North Africa, Europe	Influenza	Unknown, around 1% of those infected
1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic	1519–1520	Mexico	Smallpox	5–8 million (40% of population)
Cocoliztli epidemic of 1545–1548	1545–1548	Mexico	Possibly Salmonella enterica	5–15 million (80% of population)
1557 influenza pandemic	1557–1559	Asia, Africa, Europe, and Americas	Influenza	Unknown (10% of the infected)
1561 Chile smallpox epidemic	1561–1562	Chile	Smallpox	120,000–150,000 (20–25% of native population)
1563 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1563–1564	London, England	Bubonic plague	20,100+
Cocoliztli epidemic of 1576	1576–1580	Mexico	Possibly Salmonella enterica	2–2 million (50% of population)
1582 Tenerife plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1582–1583	Tenerife, Spain	Bubonic plague	5,000–9,000
1592–1596 Seneca nation measles epidemic	1592–1596	Seneca nation, North America	Measles	Unknown
1592–1593 Malta plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1592–1593	Malta	Bubonic plague	3,000
1592–1593 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1592–1593	London, England	Bubonic plague	19,900+
1596–1602 Spain plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1596–1602	Spain	Bubonic plague	600,000–700,000

Chronological table of epidemic and pandemic events that started in the 1600s · Chronology › 1600s

1603 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1603 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1603

Location

London, England

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

40,000

1616 New England infections epidemic

Event

1616 New England infections epidemic

Years

1616–1620

Location

Southern New England, British North America, especially the Wampanoag people

Disease

Unknown, possibly leptospirosis with Weil syndrome. Classic explanations include yellow fever, bubonic plague, influenza, smallpox, chickenpox, typhus, and syndemic infection of hepatitis B and hepatitis D

Death toll (estimate)

1,143–3,429 (estimated 30–90% of population)

1629–1631 Italian plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1629–1631 Italian plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1629–1631

Location

Italy

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

1 million

1632–1635 Augsburg plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1632–1635 Augsburg plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1632–1635

Location

Augsburg, Germany

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

13,712

Massachusetts smallpox epidemic

Event

Massachusetts smallpox epidemic

Years

1633–1634

Location

Massachusetts Bay Colony, Thirteen Colonies

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

1,000

1634–1640 Wyandot people epidemic

Event

1634–1640 Wyandot people epidemic

Years

1634–1640

Location

Wyandot people, North America

Disease

Smallpox and Influenza

Death toll (estimate)

15,000–25,000

1637 London plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1637 London plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1636–1637

Location

London and Westminster, England

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

10,400

Great Plague of Seville (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Great Plague of Seville (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1647–1652

Location

Spain

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

500,000

1648 Central America yellow fever epidemic

Event

1648 Central America yellow fever epidemic

Years

1648

Location

Central America

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Naples Plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Naples Plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1656–1658

Location

Italy

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

1,250,000

1663–1664 Amsterdam plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1663–1664 Amsterdam plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1663–1664

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

24,148

Great Plague of London (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Great Plague of London (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1665–1666

Location

England

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

100,000

1668 France plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1668 France plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1668

Location

France

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

40,000

1675–1676 Malta plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1675–1676 Malta plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1675–1676

Location

Malta

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

11,300

1676–1685 Spain plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1676–1685 Spain plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1676–1685

Location

Spain

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1677–1678 Boston smallpox epidemic

Event

1677–1678 Boston smallpox epidemic

Years

1677–1678

Location

Massachusetts Bay Colony, British North America

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

750–1,000

Great Plague of Vienna (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Great Plague of Vienna (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1679

Location

Vienna, Austria

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

76,000

1681 Prague plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1681 Prague plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1681

Location

Prague, Czech Kingdom

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

83,000

1687 South Africa influenza outbreak

Event

1687 South Africa influenza outbreak

Years

1687

Location

South Africa

Disease

Unknown, possibly influenza

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1693 Boston yellow fever epidemic

Event

1693 Boston yellow fever epidemic

Years

1693

Location

Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British North America

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

3,100+

1699 Charleston and Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic

Event

1699 Charleston and Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic

Years

1699

Location

Charleston and Philadelphia, British North America

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

520 (300 in Charleston, 220 in Philadelphia)

Event	Years	Location	Disease	Death toll (estimate)	Ref.
1603 London plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1603	London, England	Bubonic plague	40,000
1616 New England infections epidemic	1616–1620	Southern New England, British North America, especially the Wampanoag people	Unknown, possibly leptospirosis with Weil syndrome. Classic explanations include yellow fever, bubonic plague, influenza, smallpox, chickenpox, typhus, and syndemic infection of hepatitis B and hepatitis D	1,143–3,429 (estimated 30–90% of population)
1629–1631 Italian plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1629–1631	Italy	Bubonic plague	1 million
1632–1635 Augsburg plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1632–1635	Augsburg, Germany	Bubonic plague	13,712
Massachusetts smallpox epidemic	1633–1634	Massachusetts Bay Colony, Thirteen Colonies	Smallpox	1,000
1634–1640 Wyandot people epidemic	1634–1640	Wyandot people, North America	Smallpox and Influenza	15,000–25,000
1637 London plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1636–1637	London and Westminster, England	Bubonic plague	10,400
Great Plague in the late Ming dynasty (part of the second plague pandemic)	1633–1644	China	Bubonic plague	200,000+
Great Plague of Seville (part of the second plague pandemic)	1647–1652	Spain	Bubonic plague	500,000
1648 Central America yellow fever epidemic	1648	Central America	Yellow fever	Unknown
Naples Plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1656–1658	Italy	Bubonic plague	1,250,000
1663–1664 Amsterdam plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1663–1664	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Bubonic plague	24,148
Great Plague of London (part of the second plague pandemic)	1665–1666	England	Bubonic plague	100,000
1668 France plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1668	France	Bubonic plague	40,000
1675–1676 Malta plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1675–1676	Malta	Bubonic plague	11,300
1676–1685 Spain plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1676–1685	Spain	Bubonic plague	Unknown
1677–1678 Boston smallpox epidemic	1677–1678	Massachusetts Bay Colony, British North America	Smallpox	750–1,000
Great Plague of Vienna (part of the second plague pandemic)	1679	Vienna, Austria	Bubonic plague	76,000
1681 Prague plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1681	Prague, Czech Kingdom	Bubonic plague	83,000
1687 South Africa influenza outbreak	1687	South Africa	Unknown, possibly influenza	Unknown
1693 Boston yellow fever epidemic	1693	Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British North America	Yellow fever	3,100+
1699 Charleston and Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic	1699	Charleston and Philadelphia, British North America	Yellow fever	520 (300 in Charleston, 220 in Philadelphia)

Chronological table of epidemic and pandemic events that started in the 1700s · Chronology › 1700s

1702 New York City yellow fever epidemic

Event

1702 New York City yellow fever epidemic

Years

1702

Location

New York City, British North America

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

500

1702–1703 St. Lawrence Valley smallpox epidemic

Event

1702–1703 St. Lawrence Valley smallpox epidemic

Years

1702–1703

Location

New France, Canada

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

1,300

1707–1708 Iceland smallpox epidemic

Event

1707–1708 Iceland smallpox epidemic

Years

1707–1709

Location

Iceland

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

18,000+ (36% of population)

Great Northern War plague outbreak (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Great Northern War plague outbreak (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1710–1712

Location

Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

164,000

1713–1715 North America measles epidemic

Event

1713–1715 North America measles epidemic

Years

1713–1715

Location

Thirteen Colonies and New France, Canada

Disease

Measles

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

Great Plague of Marseille (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Great Plague of Marseille (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1720–1722

Location

France

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

100,000+

1721 Boston smallpox outbreak

Event

1721 Boston smallpox outbreak

Years

1721–1722

Location

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

844

1730 Cádiz yellow fever epidemic

Event

1730 Cádiz yellow fever epidemic

Years

1730

Location

Cádiz, Spain

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

2,200

1732–1733 Thirteen Colonies influenza epidemic

Event

1732–1733 Thirteen Colonies influenza epidemic

Years

1732–1733

Location

Thirteen Colonies

Disease

Influenza

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1733 New France smallpox epidemic

Event

1733 New France smallpox epidemic

Years

1733

Location

New France, Canada

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1735–1741 diphtheria epidemic

Event

1735–1741 diphtheria epidemic

Years

1735–1741

Location

New England, Province of New York, Province of New Jersey, British North America

Disease

Diphtheria

Death toll (estimate)

20,000

Great Plague of 1738 (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

Great Plague of 1738 (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1738

Location

Balkans

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

50,000

1738–1739 North Carolina smallpox epidemic

Event

1738–1739 North Carolina smallpox epidemic

Years

1738–1739

Location

Province of Carolina, Thirteen Colonies

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

7,700–11,700

1741 Cartagena yellow fever epidemic

Event

1741 Cartagena yellow fever epidemic

Years

1741

Location

Cartagena, Colombia

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

20,000

1743 Sicily plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1743 Sicily plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1743

Location

Messina, Sicily, Italy

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

40,000–50,000

1759 North America measles outbreak

Event

1759 North America measles outbreak

Years

1759

Location

North America

Disease

Measles

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1760 Charleston smallpox epidemic

Event

1760 Charleston smallpox epidemic

Years

1760

Location

Charleston, British North America

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

730–940

1762 Havana yellow fever epidemic

Event

1762 Havana yellow fever epidemic

Years

1762

Location

Havana, Cuba

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

8,000

1763 Pittsburgh area smallpox outbreak

Event

1763 Pittsburgh area smallpox outbreak

Years

1763

Location

North America, present-day Pittsburgh area

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1770–1772 Russian plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1770–1772 Russian plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1770–1772

Location

Russia

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

50,000

1772 North America measles epidemic

Event

1772 North America measles epidemic

Years

1772

Location

North America

Disease

Measles

Death toll (estimate)

1,080

1772–1773 Persian Plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Event

1772–1773 Persian Plague (part of the second plague pandemic)

Years

1772–1773

Location

Persia

Disease

Bubonic plague

Death toll (estimate)

2 million

1775–1776 England influenza outbreak

Event

1775–1776 England influenza outbreak

Years

1775–1776

Location

England

Disease

Influenza

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1775–1782 North American smallpox epidemic

Event

1775–1782 North American smallpox epidemic

Years

1775–1782

Location

Native populations in what is now the Pacific Northwest of the United States

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

11,000+

1778 Spain dengue fever outbreak

Event

1778 Spain dengue fever outbreak

Years

1778

Location

Spain

Disease

Dengue fever

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1782 Influenza pandemic

Event

1782 Influenza pandemic

Years

1782

Location

Worldwide

Disease

Influenza

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1788 Pueblo Indians smallpox epidemic

Event

1788 Pueblo Indians smallpox epidemic

Years

1788

Location

Pueblo Indians in northern New Spain (what is now the Southwestern United States)

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

Unknown

1789–1790 New South Wales smallpox epidemic

Event

1789–1790 New South Wales smallpox epidemic

Years

1789–1790

Location

New South Wales, Australia

Disease

Smallpox

Death toll (estimate)

125,251–175,351 (50–70% of native population)

1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic

Event

1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic

Years

1793

Location

Philadelphia, United States

Disease

Yellow fever

Death toll (estimate)

5,000+

Event	Years	Location	Disease	Death toll (estimate)	Ref.
1702 New York City yellow fever epidemic	1702	New York City, British North America	Yellow fever	500
1702–1703 St. Lawrence Valley smallpox epidemic	1702–1703	New France, Canada	Smallpox	1,300
1707–1708 Iceland smallpox epidemic	1707–1709	Iceland	Smallpox	18,000+ (36% of population)
Great Northern War plague outbreak (part of the second plague pandemic)	1710–1712	Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania	Bubonic plague	164,000
1713–1715 North America measles epidemic	1713–1715	Thirteen Colonies and New France, Canada	Measles	Unknown
Great Plague of Marseille (part of the second plague pandemic)	1720–1722	France	Bubonic plague	100,000+
1721 Boston smallpox outbreak	1721–1722	Massachusetts Bay Colony	Smallpox	844
1730 Cádiz yellow fever epidemic	1730	Cádiz, Spain	Yellow fever	2,200
1732–1733 Thirteen Colonies influenza epidemic	1732–1733	Thirteen Colonies	Influenza	Unknown
1733 New France smallpox epidemic	1733	New France, Canada	Smallpox	Unknown
1735–1741 diphtheria epidemic	1735–1741	New England, Province of New York, Province of New Jersey, British North America	Diphtheria	20,000
Great Plague of 1738 (part of the second plague pandemic)	1738	Balkans	Bubonic plague	50,000
1738–1739 North Carolina smallpox epidemic	1738–1739	Province of Carolina, Thirteen Colonies	Smallpox	7,700–11,700
1741 Cartagena yellow fever epidemic	1741	Cartagena, Colombia	Yellow fever	20,000
1743 Sicily plague epidemic (part of the second plague pandemic)	1743	Messina, Sicily, Italy	Bubonic plague	40,000–50,000
1759 North America measles outbreak	1759	North America	Measles	Unknown
1760 Charleston smallpox epidemic	1760	Charleston, British North America	Smallpox	730–940
1762 Havana yellow fever epidemic	1762	Havana, Cuba	Yellow fever	8,000
1763 Pittsburgh area smallpox outbreak	1763	North America, present-day Pittsburgh area	Smallpox	Unknown
1770–1772 Russian plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1770–1772	Russia	Bubonic plague	50,000
1772 North America measles epidemic	1772	North America	Measles	1,080
1772–1773 Persian Plague (part of the second plague pandemic)	1772–1773	Persia	Bubonic plague	2 million
1775–1776 England influenza outbreak	1775–1776	England	Influenza	Unknown
1775–1782 North American smallpox epidemic	1775–1782	Native populations in what is now the Pacific Northwest of the United States	Smallpox	11,000+
1778 Spain dengue fever outbreak	1778	Spain	Dengue fever	Unknown
1782 Influenza pandemic	1782	Worldwide	Influenza	Unknown
1788 Pueblo Indians smallpox epidemic	1788	Pueblo Indians in northern New Spain (what is now the Southwestern United States)	Smallpox	Unknown
1789–1790 New South Wales smallpox epidemic	1789–1790	New South Wales, Australia	Smallpox	125,251–175,351 (50–70% of native population)
1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic	1793	Philadelphia, United States	Yellow fever	5,000+