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What is the Black death? The history and symptoms of the deadliest plague on Earth
The outbreak began in August 2017 and expanded rapidly. Here is all you need to know about the history of the dreaded Black Death plague.
What is the history of the Black Death? The Black death is one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. The disease killed 50 million people in the 14th century, obliterating 60% of Europe’s entire population.
The disastrous disease spread across the continent in the years 1346-53. It first arrived in Europe by sea in October 1346, when 12 Genoese trading ships docked at the Sicilian port of Messina.
The people who came to greet the ship were met by horror, most of the sailors were dead.
Those who were still alive were gravely ill, and they were all covered in black boils that oozed blood and pus. The boils gave the illness its name: The Black Death.
The first outbreak of the in England came in 1348. It seemed to have come from a storm during the summer months, arriving first at the trading port of Bristol, hitting London in September.
By 1349 it was ravaging Wales and the Midlands, and it quickly made the leap across the Irish Sea. The deadly disease created panic across the whole of Britain.
A graphic testimony can be found at St Mary’s, Ashwell, where an anonymous person has carved an inscription: “Wretched, terrible, destructive year, the remnants of the people alone remain.” The Black Death flourished in the conditions of Britain.
People had a tendency to empty their chamberpots in the streets and many owned pigs who were allowed to roam free.
What is the Black Death? Today scientists understand more about the Black Death. The plague is spread by a bacillus called Yersina pestis.
The germ travels from person to person through the air, as well as through bites from infected rats and fleas. Both of these could be found everywhere in medieval Europe. The disease has an extremely high fatality rate and is very infectious.
What are the symptoms? The World Health Organisation described the plague symptoms as “flu-like”. Sufferers can expect painful lymph notes, fever, headaches, weakness and fatigue.
There could also be more worrying symptoms such as bleeding and abdominal pain. The symptoms usually develop between two and seven days after a person acquires the infection.