Black Death

Beginnings

1347

The Black Death started in Central Asia. Even though there is not a concrete answer, it is believed that the plague originated near Issyk-Kul.

How it spread

1348

Asia had been devastated by earthquakes, floods and famines, so this made animals go to villages in search of shelter. Fleas then spread the plague germs to rats, and rats usually nested on the walls and roofs of medieval houses thus people who lived on a house could get easily infected. Now, if a person coughed or sneezed, he/she spread germs into the air and the plague infected others.

Plague traveling through the Mediterranean

1349

Since 1200, people from Kaffa (on the Crimean Peninsula) transported Asian horses, furs, silks and spices either to Syria, Egypt or Italy. By the time of the Black Death, many people tried to escape by sea but the plague travelled with them, therefore, soon the plague spread through Egypt, Sicily and Genoa.

Trade Routes

1350

Around the 14th century, the plague travelled from East to West. Beginning with countries on the East of Asia and followed by Europe and Africa. People did not know that they were carrying the disease by trading goods and products, this made every port and therefore every country infected. People in some towns began rejecting other ones that came from infected areas, what they did not noticed, were the dead rats and fleas. Finally, the weather was warm enough for fleas to remain active.

Ending

1351

The Black Plague continued traveling around the world until it completed the whole circle back to Kaffa where it was originated. There is not a fact on how the plague disappeared. Some say that people just got immunity and others got better at dealing with it by isolating the infected ones. Either way, today people fear it's recurrence, as it is said on "Like Black Somke" by Diana Childress. "No natural disaster before or since has caused such devastation of human life over such large area."