Ahhh it just clicked in my head when I started reading that wiki article.
hantavirus IS a Hemorrhagic fever so that would explain the buboes and bleeding from the orifices as well as easy transmission if it mutated just a little. As MeanTexan pointed out it’s natural in the region.
And to Justa on how certain conditions make humans more ripe for epidemics. There is also some theories how epidemics can make humans more fit…in the long term.
One theory is the Black Death strengthened Europeans by basically culling the weak. Research shows most who survived it had more education, property and wealth (all signs of intelligence). Of course weak individuals are more likely to die from any disease. Several seemingly unrelated factors seem to back this theory up:
1. military might/mongols. They had been unstoppable but after the last few big outbreaks of bubonic plague Europe repelled them and Russia even started conquering the hordes.
2. The Renaissance. Began almost immediately after the big waves.
3. Expansion. Europeans started conquering well…everyone everywhere.
4. Reformation (religious and political systems) began not long after
Etc.
Some like James Burke explained it in his excellent TV series “Connections” in these elaborate connected series of events. Such as: mass deaths caused wealth to be concentrated into fewer hands, enabled more spending which stimulated the economy leading to lassie faire trading which promoted democratic principles, millions of dead also left their clothes which had to be used ..somehow. So they naturally thought of making paper with it which led to the printing machine which led to universities which led…Ummm whew , get it?
OR As Occam’s Razor would direct the simplest explanation is almost always right: The Black Death culled Europe’s population leaving the survivors smarter, tougher and more expansionist. Which by the way said effects seems to have ran out of steam looking at Europe today.
I loved that show and it’s oddly how my mind works anyway.
I’ll start with one thing and wind up connecting crazy dots that make perfect sense to me but often drive whomever I’m talking to crazy.
“ I only said I bought a new pair of jeans. What the hell do weevils and woad have to do with anything?”
:D