'Gerbils replace rats' as main cause of Black Death

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31588671

by benbreen • 11 years ago

18 3 11 years ago

bcRIPster• 11 years ago

Sooo... what we're really saying here is that we really don't know.

hga• 11 years ago

Yep. There's even been some debate WRT to the Black Death agent being Yersinia pestis (formerly Pasteurella pestis), some think or thought an hemorrhagic virus was a more likely cause.

It's hard looking that far back in time ... but we've got some amazing techniques now. We've found enough DNA in exhumed victims of not only the Black Death, but the 6th Century Plague of Justinian, 1,500 years ago (DNA is hardy stuff) to confirm they were distinct strains of Yersinia pestis.

From what animal reservoirs they jumped from, though, pretty much has to be speculative. But it is interesting they're smelling a new "rat" ^_^.

etrevino• 11 years ago

It wouldn't surprise me if the Plague jumped from one host to another and that became a semi-permanent reservoir. After the Plague came in during the Middle Ages it became a periodic event that only died out in the 1720s. Why it died out is still an open question.

'Gerbils replace rats' as main cause of Black Death

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