14th century pandemic

The 14th-century pandemic, most notably the Black Death, was a devastating outbreak of bubonic plague that swept across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, it spread mainly through fleas on rats and infected people. The pandemic resulted in the death of an estimated one-third to one-half of Europe's population, causing profound social, economic, and cultural upheaval. It persisted from around 1347 to 1351, though outbreaks continued in various regions afterwards. The Black Death significantly shaped history by accelerating social change and prompting advances in medicine and public health.