THE BLACK DEATH
What is plague? What is
the history of plague?
Plague is a bacterial disease that is infamous
for causing millions of deaths in the Middle Ages in Europe. Many historical
references describe the illness, which has been referred to as the Black Death.
The first reported plague pandemic began in 541 A.D. and lasted for over 200 years,
killing an estimated 100 million people or more throughout the Mediterranean
basin. The so-called Black Death, or pandemic of the Middle Ages, began in
China and made its way to Europe, causing the death of 60% of the entire
population. The third, or modern, pandemic started in China in the 19th century
and spread to port cities all over the world. Most recently, the World Health
Organization reported an outbreak of plague in Madagascar in Nov. 2014. The
outbreak affected over 100 patients and caused at least 40 deaths.
Rodents and many other kinds of animals can be
infected with plague-causing bacteria. People contract the bacteria through
bites of fleas that have fed on infected rodents. Humans can also develop the
infection from handling fluids or tissues from infected animals. People with
plague pneumonia can also transmit the infection to other humans via coughing
infectious droplets into the air.
The Black Death was one of the most devastating
pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200
million people and peaking in Europe in the years 1346–53. Although there were
several competing theories as to the etiology of the Black Death, analysis of
DNA from victims in northern and southern Europe published in 2010 and 2011 indicates
that the pathogen responsible was the Yersinia pestis bacterium, probably
causing several forms of plague.
The Black Death is thought to have originated in
the arid plains of Central Asia, where it then travelled along the Silk Road,
reaching the Crimea by 1343.From there, it was most likely carried by Oriental
rat fleas living on the black rats that were regular passengers on merchant
ships. Spreading throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, the Black Death is
estimated to have killed 30–60% of Europe's total population.In total, the
plague reduced the world population from an estimated 450 million down to
350–375 million in the 14th century.
The aftermath of the plague created a series of
religious, social, and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the
course of European history. It took 150 years for Europe's population to
recover.[citation needed] The plague recurred occasionally in Europe until the
19th century.
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| BLACK DEATH |
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