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Wednesday 25 March 2020 LOCAL
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American continent strucked by epidemics Episode 61- LXI

ORANJESTAD — Way before Columbian times, a variety of diseases ex-
isted in the Americas. The limited populations and interactions between
those populations, who had or showed symptoms of a contagious illness,
in contrast to places like Europe, hampered the development of wide-
spread deadly diseases throughout the continent.

The diseases brought by Europeans are not easily tracked, since
there were numerous outbreaks and all were not equally record-
One notable disease of American Numerous diseases were brought to ed throughout the Americas and by the end of 1494, disease and
origin is syphilis aside from that, most The Americas, including smallpox, famine had claimed two-thirds of the Spanish settlers and their
of the major epidemic diseases we bubonic plague, chickenpox, chol- Caribbean counterpart, the Taino`s. The most destructive disease
are familiar with today originated in era, the common cold, diphtheria, brought by Europeans was smallpox. The first well-documented
the Old World. The Native American influenza, malaria, measles, scarlet smallpox epidemic happened in 1518.The Lakota Indians called
era of limited disease ended with fever, sexually transmitted diseases, the disease the running face sickness. Smallpox was lethal to
the arrival of Europeans in the Ameri- typhoid, typhus, strings of tuberculosis, many Native Americans, bringing sweeping epidemics and af-
cas and the Columbian exchange and pertussis. Each of these brought fecting the same tribes repeatedly.
of organisms, including those that destruction through sweeping epi- Certain cultural and biological traits made Native Americans
cause human diseases. European dis- demics, involving disability, illness, more susceptible to these diseases. Emphasis placed on visiting
eases and epidemics are still present and extensive deaths. Arriving Euro- the sick led to the spread of disease through continual contact.
among Native American populations peans infected with diseases either Native Americans first exposed to these diseases also had an ap-
today; these had enormous influence possessed them in a dormant state proach to illness relating primarily to religious beliefs. Their societ-
especially on their past generations. or were not adequately quarantined, ies typically believed that disease is caused by either a lack of
European diseases devastated entire allowing the diseases to spread into charm use, an intrusion of an object by means of sorcery, or the
nations and their tribes. epidemics. The trade of Native Ameri- free soul’s absence from the body. Disease was understood to
Because Native American popula- can captives and the use of commer- enter the body if one is not protected by the spirits, as it is a natu-
tions were not previously exposed to cial trade routes contributed to the ral occurrence. Religious powers were called on to cure diseases
most diseases introduced by the Euro- spread of disease. in the practice of shamanism.
peans, populations rarely had built up Between 1837 and 1870, at least four different epidemics struck
individual or population immunities to the Plains tribes. When Plains tribes began to learn of the “white
those diseases. In addition, Europe’s man’s diseases”, many did intentionally avoided contact with
position as a crossroads between them and their traded goods. But the lure of trade goods such as
many different peoples, many of metal pots, skillets, and knives sometimes proved too strong, lead-
whom were separated by hundreds, if ing people to trade with the white newcomers anyway and in-
not thousands, of miles through things advertently spread disease to their villages. Our island has also its
like constant war spreading afflictions history of coping with many diseases. There was a claim that one
throughout the continent and the disease had come in a banquet that covered a sick person on a
Silk Road bringing diseases from the ship. Others carried by a new arrival and others even by insects.
East—resulted in that Europeans de- Hygiene and prudence are in your hands. Today again we are
veloped immunity to a large variety confronted with many serious threat of invisible enemies and their
of diseases. Therefore, the diseases imperil menaces to our health. Stay healthy, strong and solitaire
brought by the Europeans, which had for a while and for the sake of the good times we’ve had.
little effect on them as a population,
greatly affected, and often continue To immerse in what Aruba is all about, its people, its origins, its ani-
to affect, Native Americans. This phe- mals and culture, you can mail us at etnianativa03@gmail.com.
nomenon is known as the virgin soil ef- For more information you can also check our Facebook page
fect. Etnia Nativa. q