The Black Death (bubonic plague) that devastated Europe and Asia in the 14th century did not occur on the American continent.
However, a later, separate outbreak of the bubonic plague was introduced to the Americas around 1900, resulting in the following recorded deaths:
United States (1900-1904): The first major outbreak in San Francisco killed at least 119 to 172 people.
United States (1900–2015): A total of 1,036 human plague cases were reported in the U.S. during this period.
United States (1900-1942): Before antibiotics, there were 511 cases, of which 336 were fatal (66% mortality rate).
United States (Recent): In recent decades, an average of seven human plague cases are reported in the U.S. each year.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
Key Facts on Plague in the Americas:
Origin: The plague arrived in the US on rat-infested steamships from Asia, primarily affecting West Coast port cities.
Endemic Status: The disease established itself among wild rodents in the Western US (especially New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Colorado).
Location: While rare, modern plague cases in the Americas occur primarily in the United States and Peru.
Smithsonian Magazine
The Black Death (bubonic plague) that devastated Europe and Asia in the 14th century did not occur on the American continent.
However, a later, separate outbreak of the bubonic plague was introduced to the Americas around 1900, resulting in the following recorded deaths:
United States (1900-1904): The first major outbreak in San Francisco killed at least 119 to 172 people.
United States (1900–2015): A total of 1,036 human plague cases were reported in the U.S. during this period.
United States (1900-1942): Before antibiotics, there were 511 cases, of which 336 were fatal (66% mortality rate).
United States (Recent): In recent decades, an average of seven human plague cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov)
Key Facts on Plague in the Americas: Origin: The plague arrived in the US on rat-infested steamships from Asia, primarily affecting West Coast port cities.
Endemic Status: The disease established itself among wild rodents in the Western US (especially New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Colorado).
Location: While rare, modern plague cases in the Americas occur primarily in the United States and Peru. Smithsonian Magazine
I’ve got to appreciate a serious fact check under my half-assed joke. Thank you, that was genuinely interesting.