Jan 30, 2017 | Plagues & Pathogens
In the summer of 2016, a 10-year-old Russian boy cut himself skinning a marmot whilst hunting with his grandfather in the remote Kosh-Agach region in the Atlai Mountains. A few days later he developed a fever and a flu-like illness and was taken to a local hospital....
Oct 31, 2016 | Plagues & Pathogens
In the summer of 1518 in the city of Strasbourg, Alsace, a woman by the name of Frau Troffea took to the streets and started to dance. She continued to dance day and night without stopping. No one knows why she started but within a few days others started to join in....
Jul 27, 2016 | Plagues & Pathogens
The Middle Ages are renowned for being a turbulent and difficult period of history. War, famine and disease occurred throughout the period and one of the most devastating pandemics in history, the Black Death, occurred in the mid 14th century. The Black Death was not...
Jun 28, 2016 | Plagues & Pathogens
The sixth century AD was a tumultuous period of human history. It marked the end of Classical Antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages. Empires fell and new ones rose up to take their place. It was during this period that the legendary King Arthur is said to...
Apr 26, 2016 | Plagues & Pathogens
In the Spring of 2009, a new strain of influenza began to infect people in Mexico. Reports suggested that the outbreak had started in February due to farming practices at a pig farm and it was henceforth given the name ‘swine flu’. By April, cases had started to...
Feb 26, 2016 | Plagues & Pathogens
I am an unashamed fan of history and spend much of my time away from Medicine reading about history and listening to podcasts such as the excellent ‘Hardcore History’ by Dan Carlin. This particular article was inspired by Daniele Bolleli’s incredible work...
