Great Plague of London

The Great Plague of London (pronunciation: /ɡreɪt pleɪɡ ɒv ˈlʌndən/) was a major epidemic that swept through the city of London from 1665 to 1666. It is estimated to have killed approximately 100,000 people, nearly a quarter of London's population, in 18 months.

Etymology

The term "Great Plague of London" is derived from the English words "great" (meaning large or immense), "plague" (from the Latin plaga meaning blow or wound), and "London" (the capital city of England and the United Kingdom). The term was used to describe the severity and impact of the epidemic on the city.

History

The Great Plague of London was the last major epidemic of the bubonic plague to occur in England. The outbreak began in the spring of 1665 and reached its peak in the summer of the same year. The plague was brought to London by fleas that infested rats and then bit humans, spreading the disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the bubonic plague include fever, chills, weakness, and swollen and painful lymph nodes (also known as buboes). If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, causing severe illness and death.

Related Terms

Bubonic Plague: A highly infectious and often deadly disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
Black Death: A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-14th century.
Epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
Pandemic: An epidemic of disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents, or worldwide.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Great Plague of London
Wikipedia's article - Great Plague of London

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Great Plague of London