Pandemica Gramatica

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In the 14th century, the Black plague killed over 1/3rd of the global population. 200 years later, influenza killed another 15 million. Then, in the early 1900’s, the Spanish Flu infected 500 million people in only two years. Pandemics have affected the world since the biblical era. These rampaging viruses have turned once prosperous towns into lonely ghost towns. Civilizations have been reshaped, cultures and politics devolved, and the hope of nations has been shattered. When will the next pandemic hit? What will it be? What can be done, if anything at all? According to most epidemiologists, we are long overdue for the next outbreak.

The black plague was greatly feared and lethal but it veiled two other plagues, which were strong enough to kill just as well. When these three potent viruses were combined, death was inevitable for the masses of the feudal epoch. Firstly, the septicemiac plague would attack the blood stream, causing delirium, blood thinning, and a rapid heart rate (Schoenstadt). Secondly, the pneumonic plague attacked the lungs (Knox, Black). While these two viruses’s secretly weakened one’s immune system, the black plague dealt catastrophic damage. The first symptoms were aching limbs and coughing; once the infected began throwing up blood, the seed of fear was planted. Within two days, the lymph nodes would swell up, causing what Skip Knox of Boise state university called “a grotesque appearance” of black protrusions. The life expectancy of victims of this air borne disease was only four to six days. While most large cities and areas along trade routes were reduced to ashes, some cities such as Milan and Venice found fewer deaths (Knox). When word of the plague reached Portugal, police officers ordered local c...

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Knox, Skip. "The Black Death." Boise State University. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .

Lovgren, Stefan. "Is Asian Bird Flu the Next Pandemic?" Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Ed. National Geographic, 7 Dec. 2004. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1207_041207_birdflu.html

Schoenstadt, Arthur. "Septicemic Plague." Plague Home Page. 13 Oct. 2006. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. .

WHO | Pandemic Preparedness." Who.com. WHO. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. .

Woodson, Grattan. "Influenza Virus Evolution and Adaptation." Bird Flu Manual. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .

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