Reading Connections 1

In 1347 the Black Death struck the wold. It started in central Asia but quickly moved to China and India. It was able to spread so quickly because of constant trade and low health standards. Eventually it made its way to Europe, where it killed hundreds of thousands of people. The plague was a brutal way to die. It started with a growth called a bubo on the person's groin or armpit. If the bubo does not burst, 3-4 days of excruciating pain follow and finally the victim's death. The Black Death was so swift and devastating that it almost seems unreal. However, the truth is that pandemics are real, and we could be faced with one shortly.

Although Europe's heath standards have risen tremendously since the time of the plague, there is still a great chance for a global pandemic in modern times. The Avian Flu has caused a lot of concern due its deadly potential. Currently Avian Flu can only be transmitted from birds to humans. If however, the virus mutates and becomes transmissible from human to human, then two thirds of the population could potentially be killed. The biggest threat is the disease becoming airborne, this would cause the rate of infection to skyrocket. Here is a video that explains a little more about Avian Flu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_22ZaAWSTc

Davies, Norman. Europe: A History. New York, New York: HarperPerennial, 1998.

PandemicFlu.gov. 5 Oct. 2008 .