In antiquity Social history of viruses

an egyptian stele thought depict poliovirus victim, 18th dynasty (1580–1350 bc)

among earliest records of viral infection egyptian stele thought depict egyptian priest 18th dynasty (1580–1350 bc) foot drop deformity characteristic of poliovirus infection. mummy of siptah – ruler during 19th dynasty – shows signs of poliomyelitis, , of ramesses v , other egyptian mummies buried on 3000 years ago show evidence of smallpox. there epidemic of smallpox in athens in 430 bc, in quarter of athenian army , many of city s civilians died infection.

measles old disease, not until 10th century persian physician muhammad ibn zakariya al-razi (865–925) – known rhazes – first identified it. rhazes used arabic name hasbah measles. has had many other names including rubeola latin word rubeus, red , , morbilli, small plague . close similarities between measles virus, canine distemper virus , rinderpest virus have given rise speculation measles first transmitted humans domesticated dogs or cattle. measles virus appears have diverged then-widespread rinderpest virus 12th century.

a measles infection confers lifelong immunity. therefore, virus requires high population density become endemic, , did not occur in neolithic age. following emergence of virus in middle east, reached india 2500 bc. measles common in children @ time not recognised disease. in egyptian hieroglyphs described normal stage of human development.

one of earliest descriptions of virus-infected plant can found in poem written japanese empress kōken (718–770), in describes plant in summer yellowing leaves. plant, later identified eupatorium lindleyanum, infected tomato yellow leaf curl virus.