The black death originated Central Asia and spread to Europe. It started because of unclean rodents (hamsters etc.) who had infected fleas. The Black Death or Plague bacteria multiply inside the flea, blocking its stomach (nasty!!) and causing it to become very hungry. The flea then bites a host and continuously feeds on its victim (because it is unable to satisfy its hunger). During the feeding process, infected blood carrying the plague bacteria flows from the fleas' stomach into the open wound. The plague bacteria then has a new host,which unfortunately includes Humans, and the flea eventually dies from starvation. ==== It is believed by many that the disease started in China, whose merchant shipsbrought it west, to Sicily. Near Italy. It was carried by fleas that were living on rats. Once in Italy, it soon spread throughout the rest of Europe. ==== It began in Asia, Merchant ships Brought it to Sicily, near Italy, Carrying the Bubonic Plague to many countries of Europe. Then spread through Europe and Asia killing about 50 million people in all. The Black Death or the Bubonic Plague and its Medieval World history and origins The deadly disease has been with man and part of world and medieval history for a very long time. It has claimed nearly 200 MILLION lives. The first recorded epidemic of the Black Death / Bubonic Plague was in Europe during the 6th Century. The disease truly became pandemic in 1328 - the medieval period of the history of the world. During this period a third of the world population died. We tend to associate the history of this terrible disease with Europe however it originated in the Gobi Desert. The Spread of the disease The disease spread throughout the Western world and reached pandemic proportions due to changes in lifestyle - people were moving from the country villages to highly populated towns. The formation of major cities and increased travel by various world civilisations, the disease rapidly spread throughout Asia. The Black Death (Bubonic Plague) followed the Trade Routes. The Trade routes provided access to all corners of the known world. The increased use of the trade routes ensured that the disease spread throughout the World. We should also remember that it was not just Europe and Africa that were devastated by the deadly disease. Countries such as China suffered horrendously from the 1328 outbreak with their population dropping from 125 million to 90 million during just the middle half of 14th century.