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An epidemic of the '''bubonic plague''' known as the Black Death struck Europe and many parts of Asia between 1347 and 1351.  The plague was spread and transmitted by rats and other rodents, who [[Carrier|carried]] infected fleas in their fur.  Among the most prominent signs of the disease were the development of blackish colored swellings called "buboes."   

An epidemic of the '''bubonic plague''' known as the Black Death struck Europe and many parts of Asia between 1347 and 1351.  The plague was spread and transmitted by rats and other rodents, who [[Carrier|carried]] infected fleas in their fur.  Among the most prominent signs of the disease were the development of blackish colored swellings called "buboes."   

It spread rapidly along trade routes and especially the Silk Road.  It originated amongst the Mongols in Asia, who allowed their sacks of food to be exposed to rats and fleas that carried the fatal disease.  Traders brought it with them into the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.  In four short years, 40 to 45% of the European population was lost to the plague, especially the poor.  The Mongols amplified the problem by using catapults to toss plague-ridden bodies over city walls, a practice seen as the precursor to biological warfare.

It spread rapidly along trade routes and especially the Silk Road.  It originated amongst the Mongols in Asia, who allowed their sacks of food to be exposed to rats and fleas that carried the fatal disease.  Traders brought it with them into the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.  In four short years, 40 to 45% of the European population was lost to the plague, especially the poor.  The Mongols amplified the problem by using catapults to toss plague-ridden bodies over city walls, a practice seen as the precursor to biological warfare.

The fatality rate was even higher in China, where an estimated 25 million died from it.  It took 100 years for Europe and China to recover, and a longer period of time for Islamic countries and the Middle East.  Egypt was hit particularly hard, with some areas not recovering for 500 years.

The fatality rate was even higher in China, where an estimated 25 million died from it.  It took 100 years for Europe and China to recover, and a longer period of time for Islamic countries and the Middle East.  Egypt was hit particularly hard, with some areas not recovering for 500 years.