Tag Archives: #Bubonicplague

The origins of quarantine

Did you know?

The word “quarantine” originates from the word for “forty” in the Venetian dialect (quarantena). This is due to the 40-day isolation of ships, people and goods entering a port as a means of disease prevention during the time of the black death (Bubonic plague) which spread through Europe between 1348 and 1359 killing 30% of Europe’s population!

(Photo: Plague Doctor mask at Venetian Carnivale)