What germs caused the Black Death?

Answer 1

The Black Death was a specific outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. In Europe it was mostly during the period of 1347 to 1350, though it lasted in some areas for a few years after that. It also devastated large parts of Asia.

The bubonic plague is caused by bacteria of the species Yersinia pestis. Though the term bubonic plague is used as a term to cover all forms of the disease, there are three forms. The most common form, also called bubonic plague when the forms are being distinguished, is transmitted by flea bytes. If the disease gets into the lungs, it is called pneumonic plague, which can be transmitted by coughing putting disease-bearing particles into the air. If the disease gets into the blood, it is called septicemic plague.

The Black Death ran its course, killing until there were too few disease-bearing animals to keep it going. The bubonic plague returned many times, but never again with the large numbers of fatalities of the Black Death. The first effective cures appeared in the 20th century.