The Great Plague of London in 1664 is one of the most devastating pandemics in history. It claimed the lives of nearly 100,000 people, which was almost a quarter of the city’s population at that time.
The plague was caused by a bacterium named Yersinia pestis, which is spread by fleas that infest rats. In this article, we will explore how the plague started in London in 1664 and how it spread.
The Origins of The Plague
The origins of the Great Plague can be traced back to Asia, where it existed for centuries before reaching Europe. It first arrived in Europe in the late 1340s when it caused the Black Death pandemic. The disease then resurfaced intermittently over several centuries, causing epidemics and pandemics throughout Europe.
In 1664, the plague was brought to London by ships that arrived from Amsterdam, a city that was also experiencing an outbreak at that time. The ships brought with them infected rats and fleas that quickly spread throughout London’s densely populated areas.
The First Signs of The Plague
The first cases of the plague were reported in early 1665 when people started to experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. However, it wasn’t until later that year when the disease began to spread rapidly throughout London’s slums.
The Spread of The Plague
The spread of the plague was facilitated by London’s cramped living conditions and poor sanitation practices. People lived in close quarters with each other and their livestock, making it easy for fleas to jump from rats to humans.
As people became infected with the disease, they would often flee their homes or be forcibly removed by authorities. This would cause infected fleas to jump onto new hosts and continue spreading the disease.
- By June 1665, the plague had spread to most of London’s parishes.
- By August, there were over 7,000 deaths per week.
- By September, there were over 8,000 deaths per week.
The Response to The Plague
The response to the plague was chaotic and ineffective. The government was slow to act and many of their measures proved to be counterproductive.
One measure that was taken was the quarantine of infected households. However, this only served to isolate infected individuals and prevent them from seeking medical attention. In addition, the government’s attempts at burning infected homes and belongings only served to spread the disease further.
It wasn’t until late in 1665 that the government began taking effective measures such as mass burials and cleaning up London’s streets. By then, however, the damage had already been done.
The End of The Plague
The Great Plague finally ended in 1666 after an estimated 100,000 people had died. Some historians credit the Great Fire of London with ending the plague by destroying many of London’s slums and killing off large numbers of rats.
The Great Plague serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that pandemics can have on society. It also highlights the importance of early detection and effective response measures in preventing their spread.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Great Plague of London in 1664 was caused by a bacterium spread by fleas that infested rats. It spread rapidly throughout London’s slums due to poor living conditions and sanitation practices. Despite government efforts to contain it, it claimed nearly a quarter of London’s population before finally coming to an end in 1666.