Scientists discover 21st century black plague that spreads from rats to humans

A new plague which jumps from rats to humans has been discovered by scientists.

Fears are growing that increasing numbers of brown rats - the most common kind in Europe - are carrying a strain of bacteria that can cause serious illness in humans from heart disease to infection of the spleen and nervous system.

The new strain of bacteria called Bartonella rochalimae is spread between rats by fleas, Taiwanese researchers have said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1088887/Scientists-discover-21st-century-black-plague-spreads-rats-humans.html

This story makes interesting reading for myself.I have long been interested in the plague village of Eyam in Derbyshire.I have a strange affinity for the place and when I first visited there had a strong feeling of deja vu.
I have been back many times and in particular to visit the Riley Graves set high above Hope Valley.The graves,a National Trust site,mark the final resting place of John Hancock and his 6 children.They were all buried by Elizabeth Hancock,wife and mother.They all died within a week of each other from the plague and to prevent infecting anyone else she undertook this arduous task herself.I cannot even begin to understand what this woman went through to undertake this tragic task.She survived and went on to live in Sheffield.

makes me think of the 1970s tv series survivors, its just been remade and is on BBC1 tonight

Two very distinct reactions here!

Omega - I have heard the story of Elizabeth Hancock before. Just unthinkable really. However much we may moan about the Credit Crunch and the trials and tribulations of modern day living... well, we can have no idea of what that woman (and so many others) went through. I haven't been to Eyam but I did get that 'funny feeling' when visiting the abandoned village at Wharram Percy in Yorkshire. Not sure if 'you'd enjoy it' is right (!) but this is an amazing (fictional) book on the subject:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doomsday-Book-Connie-Willis/dp/0553562738/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227646396&sr=1-2

However!!! As for the Daily Mail and their scaremongering There are all sorts of 'plagues' that may or may not be rat borne. Most of them have been around for centuries and are nothing that washing your hands and ensuring your home is rodent free won't sort out!!!

i heard a plague of spoons was on its way, and its going to start raining badgers

good one combom,had a coughing fit laughed too much