COVID-19: Infectious Disease / History Repeats: Plague, Cholera, Spanish Cold
COVID-19:
The appearance of confusion among people due to the epidemic seems to have not changed much before and now.
The epidemic of infectious diseases has also become a major factor in shaping human history.
Looking back on the major infectious disease epidemics so far, let’s take a look at the epidemic of the new coronavirus we are facing today.
Plague epidemic: the light and shadow of history
Plague is an infection caused primarily by rodent animals, such as rodents, that have been infected by the virus, and fleas that carry the virus.
The medieval plague that became a pandemic was said to have been brought by the rat.
If a rat is infected with plague
Fleas inhale the plague virus,
When jumping to humans, the bacteria are also transferred to humans, causing infection.
14th century: “Black Death”
In the 14th century, one third of the European population died from plague.
And people were afraid to call the disease “Black Death”.
The spread of the Black Death has had a profound effect on social situations.
One step towards breaking down the old system, such as promoting serf liberation,
On the other hand, it was rumored that Jews spread pathogens for religious conspiracy,
Jewish slaughter cases occurred in various places.
Found Yersinia pestis:
In 1894, a Japanese medical doctor / Shibasaburo Kitasato discovered a Y. pestis 500 years later and established an effective treatment.
However, there is still a risk of plague transmission, with an outbreak / reinfection confirmed in Madagascar in 2017.
(Forbes JAPAN)
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/article?a=20200405-00033488-forbes-hlth&p=1