0
Black Death was believed to be a Plague. But it could have been anthrax. As this amount of spread is only possible in airborne cases.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Was the Black Death a parasite or bacteria or a virus?
We don't actually know what the Black Death was exactly. The most accepted theory is that it was a form of Bubonic Plague, caused by a bacteria called Yersinia Pestis which was spread through the bites of fleas. This theory makes sense, because the bacteria is native to Asia, where the plague started. Black Rats from Asia managed to get into Europe on ships during trades, spreading the bacteria and therefore the plague into Europe. Another theory, less popular that the one above, is that the plague was actually caused by an Ebola Virus. The virus's incubation period is longer than that of the Yersinia Pestis bacteria, which is believed to contributed to the Black Death spreading so quickly, because the virus survived longer in the hosts before becoming lethal. However, the theory would also explain how the plague travelled from human to human, as Ebola Viruses are passed on through human contact, whereas it is extremely rare for Yersinia Pestis to be passed on through human contact. One of the most recent theories is Anthrax, which is a bacterial disease from cattle products. This theory is actually gaining popularity due to recent evidences. Indeed, cattle was transported from Asia, where plague originated, to Europe in trades. A recent archaeological investigation into a plague pit discovered in Scotland (where dead bodies of plague victims were thrown in and buried), biological archaeologists discovered signs of anthrax spores. Doctors, pathologists and physicians notes written during the Black Plague period reported symptoms of "boils, blisters, lesions, ulcers, Eschar ulcers, toxidemia, flu, vomiting blood and intestine inflammation". All of these are symptoms of Anthrax. If it was indeed Anthrax, then the flu-like symptom would have helped the Anthrax bacteria spread through sneezes and coughs. It has also been suggested that the Black Death was caused by a mixture of both Bubonic and Anthrax. So there you have your theories. The bubonic theory is the most widely accepted, but it does not explain how the Black Death managed to spread so fast and so far. The Ebola theory is able to explain how the Black Death spread so far and so fast and also how it was passed on by human contact. However the symptoms do not match medical notes from the Black Plague period, so the theory is not very popular. The Anthrax theory is not currently as popular as the bubonic theory, but is more popular than the Ebola theory. However it is rapidly gaining popularity as more and more evidence of the similarities between the symptoms of the Black Death and Anthrax are discovered as well as the discovery of Anthrax spores at archaeological dig sites.
Where did the black death arrive?
The black death started around 1437 in Europe.
Did wales suffer from the black death?
Of course it did, all of Europe was hit by the black death.
How fast did the Black Death spread?
The Black Death spread across Europe at 4km
Who carried the black death to Europe?
No one did it was rats that carried black death (plague)
What caused sheep and cattle to die during the Black Death?
Answerthey were exposed to the disease Different answer:There is a theory that the Black Death was caused in part by anthrax. In that case, anthrax would almost certainly have been the cause of death for the sheep and cattle.
How was black death stopped?
Europeans acquired immunity to the responsible strain of Anthrax.
How did the europeans know anthrax wasnt the black death?
Because, Anthrax and the Bubonic plague, also known as Black Death are two different types of diseases. African mammals were often infected with Anthrax, and the spores could have easily reached Europe through air currents. This evidence suggests that Anthrax was present at the time of the Black Death and was responsible for or at least contributed to the great many deaths the plague caused. But whether or not it was the cause of the Black Death, or simply aided the Bubonic Plague in some capacity in making people sick, remains unclear.
Why do some scientists say the black death wasn't a plague but it was anthrax?
Black Death occurred in 1346 to 1353. People were not sure that it spread due to rats or feces of human and animal. Thus.
What is the degree of damage anthrax conducts?
Anthrax is an infectious disease from the spore forming bacterium B. anthracis. Anthrax can cause damage to the heart valves and could lead to death.
What does anthrax do to humans?
Death is usually caused by a severe respiratory collapse.
What is the most common type of anthrax?
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by Bacillius anthracis. The progression of the disease depends on how the host becomes infected, if the bacteria are inhaled it is lung infection, if they are introduced to the blood it is pulmonary, and if they are eaten it is gastrointestinal.
Was the Black Death a parasite or bacteria or a virus?
We don't actually know what the Black Death was exactly. The most accepted theory is that it was a form of Bubonic Plague, caused by a bacteria called Yersinia Pestis which was spread through the bites of fleas. This theory makes sense, because the bacteria is native to Asia, where the plague started. Black Rats from Asia managed to get into Europe on ships during trades, spreading the bacteria and therefore the plague into Europe. Another theory, less popular that the one above, is that the plague was actually caused by an Ebola Virus. The virus's incubation period is longer than that of the Yersinia Pestis bacteria, which is believed to contributed to the Black Death spreading so quickly, because the virus survived longer in the hosts before becoming lethal. However, the theory would also explain how the plague travelled from human to human, as Ebola Viruses are passed on through human contact, whereas it is extremely rare for Yersinia Pestis to be passed on through human contact. One of the most recent theories is Anthrax, which is a bacterial disease from cattle products. This theory is actually gaining popularity due to recent evidences. Indeed, cattle was transported from Asia, where plague originated, to Europe in trades. A recent archaeological investigation into a plague pit discovered in Scotland (where dead bodies of plague victims were thrown in and buried), biological archaeologists discovered signs of anthrax spores. Doctors, pathologists and physicians notes written during the Black Plague period reported symptoms of "boils, blisters, lesions, ulcers, Eschar ulcers, toxidemia, flu, vomiting blood and intestine inflammation". All of these are symptoms of Anthrax. If it was indeed Anthrax, then the flu-like symptom would have helped the Anthrax bacteria spread through sneezes and coughs. It has also been suggested that the Black Death was caused by a mixture of both Bubonic and Anthrax. So there you have your theories. The bubonic theory is the most widely accepted, but it does not explain how the Black Death managed to spread so fast and so far. The Ebola theory is able to explain how the Black Death spread so far and so fast and also how it was passed on by human contact. However the symptoms do not match medical notes from the Black Plague period, so the theory is not very popular. The Anthrax theory is not currently as popular as the bubonic theory, but is more popular than the Ebola theory. However it is rapidly gaining popularity as more and more evidence of the similarities between the symptoms of the Black Death and Anthrax are discovered as well as the discovery of Anthrax spores at archaeological dig sites.
How do you spell simalarities?
The correct spelling is "similarities."
How many people could die if anthrax is untreated?
Without treatment, about 20% of cutaneous skin infection cases progress to toxemia and death.(coutaneus infection of anthrax) Pulmonary and gastrointestinal are 100% fatal if untreated
What is anthrax-?
Anthrax is a 80's metal band that is still hanging on! In addition it is a serious spore forming bacterial infection. It dates back to ancient times. The bacteria is called Bacillus anthracis. It occasionally effects people, but it is usually a livestock problem. It can be an agricultural nightmare. It causes large black sores on the skin and causes cardiac and respiratory complications. It often leads to the death of the animal. Anthrax is one of the earliest known weaponized diseases. In more recent history, anthrax was used as a form of bioterrorism in the United States in 2001, just after the September 11th attacks.
What disease is caused by a bacteria and can be sent in a powdery form for bioterrorism and leads to difficulty breathing and even death?
Anthrax
