Black Plague Facts
- _Between the years of 1348 and 1351 the Plague killed and estimated 25-60% of the entire European population
Although the period widely known as the Black Death ended in 1351 it continued to make its mark on Europe with epidemics occuring every few years until the 15th century _ - After the Plague reached Sicily it took three years to move through Europe, moving as far north as Iceland and Greenland
- No one in the Medival Ages suspected the real cause of the Plague (bacteria) so the blame was placed on the idea that the "gods" were mad at them
- People were encouraged not to bath during the Plague due to the idea that bathing opened up the pores, allowing disease to enter the body
- Current esimates are that anywhere between 75-100 million people died
- _Between the years of 1348 and 1351 the Plague killed and estimated 25-60% of the entire European population
How the Plague Began
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The Black Plague was carried to Europe via infected Black Rats on trading ships from the Black Sea. The main bacteria source of the Plague- Yersinia pestis came about from infected fleas biting rats. The bacteria from the fleas clogged the rat's stomach which made it very hungary and agressive. Once the rats aquired the bacteria from the fleas they spread the disease to humans by biting them or through direct contact with their feces.
Spread of the Plague
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The Black Plague originated in the North Asian steppes (Mongolia). It was brought about by Black Rats harbouring fleas infected with the bacterium Yersinia pestis. From there the Plague spread into the Black Sea region which then expanded the outbreak to Sicily and Western Italy via trading ships. From southern Europe the Plague spread north west across the rest of the continent, hitting areas around France, Spain, and Great Britian the hardest. Areas that were scarcely affected were Eastern Germany, most of Poland, and parts of Hungary.