The Black Death. It hit Europe in the mid 1300s and killed millions—-some say 100 million or between 1/3 and 1/2 of Europe’s population. It changed history. It altered mankind’s view of religion. It disrupted travel and trade. It helped bring on the so-called Dark Ages.
The Black Death marches through Europe
In truth there were several plagues. caused by several different diseases, but the Black Death was especially destructive. Though it has been challenged by some, the Black Death was in all likelihood caused by a nasty little critter called Yersinia Pestis.
But that was centuries ago. Now we know what causes plague and we know how to treat it. It’s passed to humans by bites from infected fleas and can be eradicated with antibiotics. At least in most cases. So like small pox, isn’t it a relic of the past? Not really. The bug is out there and every now and then it raises its head as if to say—-Remember me?
Several cases have cropped in Colorado in the past couple of years, with two recent deaths: high school athlete Taylor Gaes and an as yet unnamed adult. Last year there were other cases of this infection.
And now another case has occurred in California–a child camping in Yosemite National Park.
So the plague is not just of historical significance, but rather is still with us.
I’ve blogged about this before and here are the links to those posts:
https://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/black-death-bug-identified-again/
https://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/the-plague-kills-researcher-maybe/