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Article: Revealed: Ancient clues that tell how Black Death could return to kill us all; A television documentary will claim this week that the 'plague' which killed millions was actually a virus that we would be just as powerless to fight today.
- Article from:
- The Mail on Sunday (London, England)
- Article date:
- October 10, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: SAMUEL COHN
The Black Death that scythed through Europe in the 14th Century, cutting down up to half of the continent's population, was the most deadly killer in human history.
Victims suffered an excruciating death, and many people believed that the epidemic signalled the end of the world, the Apocalypse. It left panic and devastation in its wake.
There were renewed outbreaks until the end of the 18th Century.
More people were killed in 1348 alone than in both world wars. No one knew what it was or how to fight it, other than to flee. Then, in the 19th Century, scientists identified the bubonic plague bacteria Yersinia pestis ...