1. The Black Death Plague Strikes Europe

2. What is the Black Death? There were 2 forms of the plague however, bubonic was the most common. Most people now use the terms “black death” and “bubonic plague” interchangeably. It is an organism called Y pestis.

3. How is it spread? Bubonic plague is usually carried by fleas which infest rats and then people. Another form of the plague was airborne meaning it could be caught by breathing the exhaled air of a victim (pneumonia).

4. Where did it originate? It originally came from Asia. The traditional story says it came from the town of Caffa. It traveled on trade routes and caravans, south to north and east to west.

5. When did this happen? The first outbreak was in the fall of 1347. By 1350, it had reached all of western Europe.

6. How many people died? Experts say 25 million died. This was 1/3 to 1/2 of the population. In some cities, the death toll was 60-75%.

7. What happens to victims? The disease is identified by swelling called “buboes” which appear in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin. These turn black and burst. Some other symptoms include: fever, aching limbs and vomiting blood. It takes about 4 days to die from the disease.

8. Buboes