Venetian Rule and Control of Plague Epidemics on the Ionian Islands during 17th and 18th Centuries

• Main Authors: Katerina Konstantinidou, Elpis Mantadakis, Matthew E. Falagas, Thalia Sardi, George Samonis
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.306.4112; http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/15/1/pdfs/07-1545.pdf

During the 17th and 18th centuries, measures were taken by the Venetian administration to combat plague on the Ionian Islands. At that time, although the scientifi c basis of plague was unknown, the Venetians recognized its infectious nature and successfully decreased its spread by implementing an information network. Additionally, by activating a system of inspection that involved establishing garrisons along the coasts, the Venetians were able to control all local movements in plague-infested areas, which were immediately isolated. In contrast, the neighboring coast of mainland Greece, which was under Ottoman rule, was a plague-endemic area during the same period. We conclude that even in the absence of scientifi c knowledge, close observation and social and political measures can effectively restrain infectious outbreaks to the point of disappearance. Plague is a zoonotic infection circulating among small animals, usually black rats and their fleas; it is caused by the bacillus Yersinia pestis. This disease is transmitted from animals to humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact, inhalation, and, rarely, ingestion of infective material. Untreated plague has a high case-fatality rate (1,2). Y. pestis is a global pathogen that has active foci in all continents except Australia and Antarctica (3). Plague represents an exotic disease in North America; it usually affects prairie dogs (Cynomus luduvicianus) and has eliminated large colonies of these animals in the northwestern United States. Although these animals are susceptible, it is