The Black Death

The black death was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, it occured in Europe between 1348 and 1350. It is often thought to have been an outbreak of wats known as the bubonic plague. It was thought to have started in China, it travelled along the Silk Road and had reached the Crimea by 1346. From there, most likely carried by insects and on the rats that were often on merchant ships, it spread throughout the Mediterranean and Europe.The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30% – 60% of Europe's population, reducing the world's population from what was around 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in 1400.. It took 150 years for Europe's population to recover. The plague returned at various times, killing more people, until it left Europe in the 19th century. The most common symptom of the disease was buboes in the groin, the neck and armpits, which would ooz pus and bleed when breached. This was followed by  fever and the throwing up blood and respiritory problems. Most victims died within two to seven days after infection.The modern bubonic plague has a mortality rate of thirty to seventy-five percent and symptoms including fever of 38–41C (101–105 f), headaches, painful aching joints, nausea and vomiting. If untreated, of those that contract the bubonic plague, 80% die within eight days