Black Death Pandemic in Europe

The modern world does not exist without its fair share of health scares; swine flu, avian flu, and West Nile virus have all caused global hysteria. However, these modern day issues are nothing when compared to the horrors of history's most devastating plagues. In recorded history, there have been few events worst than the Black Death pandemic that ravaged through Europe in the 14th century. The effects of the Black Death were strong that in a span of four years, from 1347-1351, more than a fourth of Europe's population was eliminated by plague.

Scientists have determined that the Black Death was caused by the bubonic plague. The bubonic plague, which was a result of a pathogen named Yersinia pestis, could be fatal within a few days of contraction. The painful symptoms of the bubonic plague included fever, headache, general discomfort and a swelling of the lymph glands around the neck, groin and armpits. These inflamed areas, also known as buboes, were accompanied with dark red spots on the skin, which were created by internal bleeding. As the disease progressed, the infected individual's nervous system would begin to break down and the red spots would become black; a symptom that is heavily related to the moniker "black death."

The Black Death spread like wildfire throughout Europe as soon as it reached the continent. It is believed that the plague originated in China and was transferred to Europe by the Silk Road trade route. The disease was later discovered to be carried by fleas taking refuge on the backs of black rats. These rats, which could commonly be found on merchant ships, brought the disease to Europe and quickly spread the disease once ships were docked. It is believed that the epicenter of the Black Death was a port in Sicily where the first infected sailors were found. From Italy, the disease spread to France, Germany, Russia, Spain and as far north as the United Kingdom. The plague spread most quickly in urban areas, where a lack of sanitation allowed for rats and fleas to move freely. As a result, urban populations were decimated; it was recorded that Paris and Florence, along with many other urban settlements across Europe, lost as much as half of their populations.

As the plague spread, people struggled to try and understand the cause of their death. Without the assistance of modern science, superstition often took precedence. Throughout the plagues reign of terror, God's will, Jewish tampering, beggars and lepers were all blamed for the disease's spread. Confusion continued as the plague continued to rise and fall in, what seemed to be, completely random fashion. In actuality however, the fluctuation of the Black Death was a result of weather. During the plague's most active years, disease would lie dormant during the winter months, while flees were not active and then continue its destruction during the spring and summer months.

After 1351, the plague's hold on Europe loosened, but the disease was not completely eradicated. The disease continued to surface for the next two hundred years, making notable appearances in London well into the 17th century. It took centuries for Europe's population to recover to pre-plague levels. The stamp of the Black Death would forever be left on Europe, apart from the health crisis that it caused; it also socially and economically changed the face of the continent.