1623 Malta plague outbreak
| 1623 Malta plague outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Disease | Plague |
| Bacteria strain | Yersinia pestis |
| Location | Malta |
| Date | 1623 |
Deaths | 40–45 |
The1623 Malta plague outbreakwas a minor outbreak ofplague(Maltese:pesta) on the island ofMalta,thenruled by the Order of St John.It was probably caused by infected materials froma major epidemic in 1592–1593,and it was successfully contained after causing 40 to 45 deaths.
Background[edit]
At the time of the outbreak, Malta wasruledby theOrder of St John.Between 1592 and 1593,a plague epidemichad killed about 3,000 people on the island.[1]
Outbreak[edit]
The first cases of plague in this outbreak were detected in the capitalValletta,[1]among family members of Paulus Emilius Ramadus,[2]the Port Chief Sanitary Officer. It is suspected that the latter had handled refuse material from the 1592–1593 epidemic which might have been infected, causing the 1623 outbreak.[1]The disease subsequently spread to a number of other households.[2]
Containment measures[edit]
In the 1623 outbreak health authorities implemented strict measures which managed to successfully contain the spread of the disease. Sanitary Commissioners isolated people who had been infected and those who came in contact with them onBishop's IslandinMarsamxett Harbour.Houses of infected people were guarded, and restrictions were imposed on movement between Valletta and the rest of the island. Congregations were prohibited, and other containment measures included the banning ofcloaks,which were believed to facilitate contact between people.[1]
Impact[edit]
The outbreak caused the deaths of either 40[1]or 45[2]people.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abcdeSavona-Ventura, Charles (2015).Knight Hospitaller Medicine in Malta [1530–1798].Self-published. p. 224.ISBN9781326482220.
- ^abcTully, James D. (1821).The History of Plague: As it Has Lately Appeared in the Islands of Malta, Gozo, Corfu, Cephalonia, Etc. Detailing Important Facts, Illustrative of the Specific Contagion of that Disease, with Particulars of the Means Adopted for Its Eradication.London:Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. p. 30.