The Black Death

Pandemic of:

• Plague

Dates:

• 1346 – 1353 CE 

 

Major features

• One of the most destructive pandemics in history. 
• Peaked in Europe from 1347 to 1351 CE.
• Approximately 33% of the European population died.
• Death toll: 75 to 200 million Eurasians.
• Total world population: Modern estimates suggest a population reduction from 450 million to between 350 - 375 million.

 

Pathogen:

• Yersinia pestis

 

Vector: 

• Fleas (carried by rodents)