The Black Plague

The Black Plague, or Black Death, was a devastating pandemic that struck Europe in the 14th century, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It spread primarily through fleas carried by rats, but also through person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets. Symptoms included fever, chills, weakness, and painful swollen lymph nodes called buboes. The disease rapidly killed millions, wiping out about one-third of Europe's population in just a few years. It led to significant social, economic, and cultural changes, highlighting the importance of public health measures and advancing medical understanding.