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Volume 16, Number 2—February 2010
Historical Review

New Hypothesis for Cause of Epidemic among Native Americans, New England, 1616–1619

John S. MarrComments to Author  and John T. Cathey
Author affiliations: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA (J.S. Marr); King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (J.T. Cathey)

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Table 2

Factors related to some of the postulated causes of an epidemic among Native Americans, New England, 1616–1619*

Factor Yellow fever Plague Influenza Smallpox Chickenpox Typhus HBV/HDV Leptospirosis
Characteristic signs and symptoms
Headache/fever Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jaundice Yes No No No No No Yes Yes
Hemorrhages Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes
Skin lesions†
Bruises
Buboes
No
Pustules
Rash
Rash
No
Rash
Epidemiologic
High attack rate Yes Yes Yes Yes‡ Yes Yes Yes Yes
High death rate Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Endemic in Europe No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Suitable arthropod vector No Yes NA NA NA Yes NA NA
Suitable reservoir host No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Native susceptibility Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
European susceptibility Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

*HBV, hepatitis B virus; HDV, hepatitis D virus; NA, not applicable.
†Sign mentioned by only 1 person (Thomas Dermer) and possibly referred to another unrelated disease outbreak.
‡Native Americans only.

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Page created: December 10, 2010
Page updated: December 10, 2010
Page reviewed: December 10, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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