Early to late modern period Social history of viruses

the americas , australia remained free of measles , smallpox until arrival of european colonists between 15th , 18th centuries. along measles , influenza, smallpox taken americas spanish. smallpox endemic in spain, having been introduced moors africa. in 1519, epidemic of smallpox broke out in aztec capital tenochtitlan in mexico. started army of pánfilo de narváez, followed hernán cortés cuba , had african slave suffering smallpox aboard ship. when spanish entered capital in summer of 1521, saw strewn bodies of smallpox victims. epidemic, , followed during 1545–1548 , 1576–1581, killed more half of native population. of spanish immune; army of fewer 900 men not have been possible cortés defeat aztecs , conquer mexico without of smallpox. many native american populations devastated later inadvertent spread of diseases introduced europeans. in 150 years followed columbus s arrival in 1492, native american population of north america reduced 80 per cent diseases, including measles, smallpox , influenza. damage done these viruses aided european attempts displace , conquer native population.

by 18th century, smallpox endemic in europe. there 5 epidemics in london between 1719 , 1746, , large outbreaks occurred in other major european cities. end of century 400,000 europeans dying disease each year. reached south africa in 1713, having been carried ships india, , in 1789 disease struck australia. in 19th century, smallpox became single important cause of death of australian aborigines.

in 1546 girolamo fracastoro (1478–1553) wrote classic description of measles. thought disease caused seeds (seminaria) spread person person. epidemic hit london in 1670, recorded thomas sydenham (1624–1689), thought caused toxic vapours emanating earth. theory wrong skilled observer , kept meticulous records.

yellow fever lethal disease caused flavivirus. virus transmitted humans mosquitoes (aedes aegypti) , first appeared on 3,000 years ago. in 1647, first recorded epidemic occurred on barbados , called barbados distemper john winthrop, governor of island @ time. passed quarantine laws protect people – first ever such laws in north america. further epidemics of disease occurred in north america in 17th, 18th , 19th centuries. first known cases of dengue fever occurred in indonesia , egypt in 1779. trade ships brought disease us, epidemic occurred in philadelphia in 1780.

ambrosius bosschaert (1573–1620) still life

many paintings can found in museums of europe depicting tulips attractive coloured stripes. most, such still life studies of johannes bosschaert, painted during 17th century. these flowers particularly popular , became sought after afford them. @ peak of tulip mania in 1630s, 1 bulb cost as house. not known @ time stripes caused virus accidentally transferred humans tulips jasmine. weakened virus, plants turned out poor investment. few bulbs produced flowers attractive characteristics of parent plants.

until irish great famine of 1845–1852, commonest cause of disease in potatoes not mould causes blight, virus. disease, called curl , caused potato leafroll virus, , widespread in england in 1770s, destroyed 75 per cent of potato crop. @ time, irish potato crop remained relatively unscathed.