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541
Plague of Justinian
Caused by Yersinia Pestis (The Bubonic Plague). Brought from Egypt to Constantinople (Capital of the Byzantine Empire), the plague was carried over by fleas and rats on ships. The Plague killed 30-50 million people in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Arabia. The Plague "Ended" when everyone with the disease either died or gained immunity to it.
Infected people ^ -
1347
Black Death
Caused by Yersinia Pestis (The Bubonic Plague), Returning 800 years later. Killed 25 million in its first 4 years, estimated to have killed 200 million by the end. Started separating new sailors to prevent spread of illness, kept for 30 days (trentino) but later upped to 40 days (quarantino aka a quarantine).
A Plague Doctor in front of the aftermath of the Black Death
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Smallpox Outbreak in The New World
Originally from Europe, Asia, and Arabia where it had less of an impact. The Natives in the New World didn't have the natural immunities yet so they had no way to protect themselves from this disease. Killed 90%-95% of the indigenous people in the americas over a century. Centuries later in the late 18th century Edward Jenner invented a vaccine to the virus making it the first epidemic to end by vaccine. Smallpox wasn't completely eradicated until 1980.
Smallpox Picture ^ -
The Great Plague of London
Caused by Yersinia Pestis (The Bubonic Plague). The Last of many centuries long outbreaks of the black death. Killed 100,000 Londoners within 7 months. Public entertainment was banned and the sick were sealed in their homes with red cross and a prayer.
Aftermath with body piles after the plague
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Cholera Outbreak
Spread through England killing tens of thousands. Was thought to have been caused by Miasma (Bad Air). A British Doctor named John Snow believed the disease came from the water. Snow investigated many hospital and morgue reports and discovered a significant number of deaths near Broad Street's central water pump. Snow insisted the authorities remove the water pump, and when they did the disease slowed down. Cholera is still a problem in countries without a significant sewage system.
Cholera ^ -
The Third Plague
Caused by Yersinia Pestis (The Bubonic Plague). Starting in China but moved to India and Hong Kong. Claiming 15 million victims. Spread by fleas during the mining boom in Yunnan. Helped India revolt against the british by adding another reason to their grievances. Considered Active until 1960 when cases dropped to a couple hundred.
Chaos and Aftermath in the streets
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AIDS/HIV Pandemic
Destroys a person's immune system and causes death to other diseases the body would normally fight off. Symptoms are Fever, Headache, and enlarged Lymph Nodes. Highly infectious and spread through blood and genital fluid, and destroys t-cells. First observed from the American gay community but believed to have developed from a chimpanzee virus in west africa during the 1920s. 35 million people have been killed by AIDS so far and there is no known cure yet.
Aids Picture ^ -
Covid-19
Spread through 114 countries in three months, infecting over 118,000. Caused by SARS-CoV2 (A Coronavirus Strain). Spread through water in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Started in China but went a mystery until id'd by Dr. Li Wenliang. By December 2020 i had infected 75 million people and had killed 1.6 million worldwide. Even with a cure covid still runs through the world.
A Picture of Covid-19
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