Five of the Worst Plagues in the Americas

Small Pox

As Children we are taught that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 but, what we are not taught is that with him he brought a string of deadly diseases like Small Pox that absolutely decimated the native population

Deaths: An estimated 95% of the indigenous population of the Americas was killed by small pox

Symptoms: Muscle pain, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Back Ache and Visible lesions.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever or American fever is believed to have been spread by ships from Caribbean Islands. From 1793 – 1878 wreaked havoc on American cites, with out breaks from New Orleans to Pennsylvania (causing George Washington to flee the city) to Boston.

Deaths: An estimated41,000 People died of the disease from 1793-1878.

Symptoms: Vomiting, Jaundice (hence the yellow fever)

Influenza

Today we may not thing of Influenza( The Flu) as a dangerous disease but back in the early 20th century reaped Havoc on the Americas. The flu is a seasonal virus that is spread through coughs and sneezes.

Deaths: An estimated half a million people died of the Spanish flu in the United states alone (The flu continues to kill 100 thousand people each year)

Symptoms: Vomiting, Sneezing, Coughing

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid Fever is spread through bad or polluted water and in 1885 Dramatically reduced the population of Chicago, but this disease did have one good side Chicago improved its water system.

Deaths: 90,000

Symptoms: Fever ( as high as 40 degrees Celsius), Headache, Cough, Rose spots on the lower chests.

Bubonic plague

We do not usually thing of the bubonic or black plague as a disease that was ever in the Americas but in 1908 it reached the United States. Killing only a small amount of people but is on this list because it is very unexpected.

Deaths: 30

Symptoms Fever, enlarged lymph nodes (or buboes), vomiting, Diarrhea, chills