The Black Death

Coming almost overnight, this plague is deadly in almost all who are exposed. Some say it is damnation from the gods, others say it is a curse of retribution for the evil deeds of King William, still others believe it is general dissatisfaction from the gods.
Regardless, The Black Death is a highly infectious disease that kills within a week of being infected.

Transmission & Vectors

Transmitted by fleas so any animal is affected and can pass it on, as well as animal-like creatures and very rarely in Lorkin. After a human is infected, transmission is almost assured in anyone close to them.

Causes

Bacterial Infection of the Lymph Nodes, usually the result of the initial bite.

Symptoms

1. Sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and weakness and one or more swollen, tender and painful lymph nodes (called buboes). These tumors can grow as big as an apple or an egg and ooze pus if opened. 
2. The next symptom is malaise, coughing, and vomiting
3. Then Gangrene of extremities as skin begins to turn necrotic
4. Finally, Death

Treatment

Being that it is a new and unknown disease, it is not treatable by any conventional methods in Kaldra.

Prognosis

1. Swollen lymph nodes that appear like tumors
2. Coughing, vomiting blood
3. Skin turns black and necrotic
4. Left untreated 80 percent die within eight days.

Affected Groups

• The elderly and the young are especially susceptible
• Those with weakened immune systems
• Humans are the most affected, but some Lorkin are as well
• The near-sapient creatures of Kaldra, while can be carriers, are not affected

Hosts & Carriers

Fleas, and the creatures on which they live. Mainly Rodentia so Nagit and Talphine are carriers of the disease. However, these as well as most Lorkin are unaffected.

Prevention

Popular advice for seeking protection is to:

Seclude themselves

Burn those who died of the plague

Quarantine those with the plague

Seek help from your gods

Use Healing potions and herbal teas

None of these have much affect if the fleas can still bite the host. In short, there is little people can do to protect themselves

Epidemiology

Hotspots of the Black Death include places which have:

Significant population of small animals, especially Rodentia. 

High Immigration from places touched by the plague

Generally poor living conditions

Lack of waste control in a city

Large gatherings of people, such as festivals

Time of year is also a factor, as well as general health of those in question.

Cultural Reception

People view those with the plague as cursed by the gods, or at least judged by them. Occasionally, there will be some who understand that the plague is just a condition that can be passed from person to person, but Germ Theory is a new concept to even the most advanced cultures.

Type

Bacterial

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Uncommon

Affected Species

• Bovetar
• Human
• Nagit
• Talphine