9. Scorpions

While there are around 2,000 different scorpion species, only about 25 species of scorpion have venom that is potentially lethal to humans. Every year, these species kill about 3,250 people. However, most of these deaths are caused by one species: the Brazilian yellow scorpion. It lives in South America and stings thousands of people a year.

Unfortunately, the antivenom for the Brazilian yellow scorpion isn’t totally effective and can sometimes cause lethal allergic reactions. So imagine trying to be cured, and then dying from the medicine. Just try to stay away from these horrible creatures as much as possible. Other super venomous scorpions live in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the southwestern US.

8. Ascaris roundworms

These gross little worms are responsible for around 4,500 deaths per year. They cause the disease ascariasis worldwide, but mostly in developing countries with warm and humid climates. Luckily, ascariasis is uncommon in the US. It’s largely a product of bad hygiene because of how the worms spread. 

The worms live in the small intestine of unsuspecting people and spread their eggs through human excrement. If this excrement contaminates water or dirt, or gets on food because it’s used as fertilizer, it just spreads the worms further. There are treatments for the disease, but people can even get it from pigs.