top of page

The Bubonic Plague

Bubonic plague is an infection caused by bacteria, transmitted by the bite of an infected Rat flea to a human host. Over time, science and medicine have come a long way with an 85% survival rate when compared to a 40-50% mortality rate when left untreated.

The first outbreak (Plague of Justinian):

Around 541 AD, the Roman empire lost about 25-50 million people due to the plague, the epidemic was spread by ships that were transporting infected hosts (Rodents).

The second outbreak (Black Death):

Between 1340-1400 AD the bubonic plague, known as the black plague, was believed to have originated from either China or Mongolia and spread through Europe, killing a third of the known human population.

The third outbreak:

Between 1855-1960 the bubonic plague resurfaced for its third time. Believed to have originated from Asia like the 2 previous times. This plague remained localized to southwest China for many years until it spread the plague to Hong Kong through water-traffic. Around 1895 the plague was spread to India and for the next 30 years, it would spread throughout India killing over 12 million people. In 1899 the plague hit the Hawaii in Honolulu’s Chinatown on the island of Oahu close to the island's import piers. Between 1900-1925 Australia had a dozen, major outbreaks of the plague. In 1960 casualties dropped to 200 a year from the plague and the epidemic was considered over. Another outbreak occurred in India during 1994, swept through 5 different states and is responsible for infecting about 700 people and over 50 fatalities were reported.

bottom of page