2007-09-05 13:35:15 · 11 answers · asked by single 4 a reason 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Yes, the current theory is that the Black Plague got its start in China, but it was not from a weird animal.
The flu virus gets a new form every year and the source of it is China and Southeast Asia where many people still live with their livestock. The various strains of flu either develop or already exist in those animals. Each year a new one jumps the species barrier and learns how to infect humans (sometimes there are two or three that can do it). This new strain of flu is brought around the world by the migrating birds and the human population that is constantly on the move.
The Black Plague probably got the same start. Once it did get going it harbored itself in fleas. Fleas that infested rats that were stole ways on trading ships heading to Europe and the Middle East. When those fleas arrived they found they could also feast off of human blood and so they spread the plague that way.
Back then diseases were not understood, there were two theories that came into favor at the time. First that the cold could cause disease so the nobles and clergy of Europe sweated in over heated rooms to try and avoid exposure to the plague; the second was that it could have been related to witchcraft and cats. Many cats were killed to stop the black plague, and those rats that the cats could have eaten just spread the plague even further.
Don't think the black plague is dead; it is merely dormant hiding somewhere in the wilds of Asia. It could find a new way to transport itself and once again become a threat to the world. But, it wouldn't be much of a threat since we have a vaccine against it (still experimental though).
2007-09-05 13:47:03 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is believed that the plague came from China, but it can definitely be traced back to a ship that left from either present day southern Russia or the Ukraine. Rats on this ship came from their original point in Russia, and sailed across the Black Sea to Constantinople, present day Istanbul. From there, the plague would move on to Italy (a few instances did occur in the major city in Turkey), the first European location to suffer a devastating blow from the disease.
2007-09-05 13:54:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Black Death is spread when a person is bitten by an infected flea who has acquired , Yersinia pestis, the endobacteria responsible for this plague, by biting a rat that has already been bitten by another infected flea. The origin is not known; several outbreaks have occured throughout history.
2007-09-05 13:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless a rat is a weird animal from China I don't think so. Look up black plague at google, or ask.com and you will get all the information you need.
2007-09-05 13:40:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jules 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope the black plague spread through Asia and Europe during the Mongol invasions. It came with the invaders, as well as hopped ships. The weather was PERFECT for mass breeding in the rodent population.
2016-04-03 05:36:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The black death was spread by fleas that had bitten infected rats biting people. I'm not sure where it originated.
2007-09-05 13:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well... if you're asking if it came to Europe from asia -- sort of. It was spread by fleas (which commonly were carried by rats and other such rodents)... they think the first carriers may have been rodents in India.
2007-09-05 13:43:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it came from an intestinal parasite found in fleas on European rats!
2007-09-05 13:42:04 · answer #8 · answered by SexRexRx 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think that it came from rats who were infected by fleas.
2007-09-05 13:40:11 · answer #9 · answered by dixie58 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think so i heard it originated with the jews.
2007-09-05 13:42:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋