Black Death

Definition

The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is transmitted through fleas that infest rodents.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Black Death led to the deaths of an estimated 25-50 million people in Europe.
2. Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the Black Death, can cause three forms of plague: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.
3. The flea vector primarily responsible for spreading Yersinia pestis is Xenopsylla cheopis.
4. Symptoms of the bubonic plague include swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, chills, and muscle aches.
5. The genetic analysis of ancient DNA from plague victims has confirmed Yersinia pestis as the causative agent.

Review Questions

• What bacterium caused the Black Death?
• How is Yersinia pestis primarily transmitted to humans?
• What are some symptoms associated with the bubonic form of the plague?

Related terms

Yersinia pestis:

A gram-negative bacterium that causes three different types of plague in humans.

Xenopsylla cheopis: The oriental rat flea known for being a primary vector in transmitting Yersinia pestis.

Buboes: Swollen lymph nodes that are characteristic symptoms of bubonic plague.