Researchers believe they have solved the nearly 700-year-old mystery of the origins of the Black Death, the deadliest pandemic in recorded history, which swept through Europe, Asia and north Africa in the mid-14th century. At least tens of millions of people died when bubonic plague tore across the continents, probably by spreading along trade routes. Among 467 tombstones dated between 1248 and 1345, Slavin traced a huge increase in deaths, with 118 stones dated 1338 or 1339. Three of them contained DNA from Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague. While people still become infected with bubonic plague, better hygiene and less contact with rat fleas that can transmit the infection to humans have prevented further deadly plague pandemics.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 16, 2022 09:50 UTC