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Epidemiologia
Special Issues
Epidemics Throughout the History
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Epidemics Throughout the History

A special issue of Epidemiologia (ISSN 2673-3986).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 1747

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Antoinette van der Kuyl

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: virus evolution; HIV-1; HBV; endogenous retroviruses; epidemiology; clinical virology; medical history
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

“Are we prepared for the next pandemic?” is a cry often heard in modern times. The answer commonly is “possibly”, or “partly”, after which a few scientists are left to the challenge of preparing for a next threat. The ongoing viral pandemics of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, Mpox, and the avian influenza virus H5N1 strain now found in cattle show that global preparedness for novel epidemics is somewhat chaotic at first, with denial often preceding more focused action. When a pathogen is somewhat under control, the next question then is “what can we learn from the crisis to help us prepare for a next one?” The human species and their livestock have suffered a rising burden of infections since Neolithic times, whereby the scale of outbreaks has grown over the last two hundred years or so due to increased travel and population expansion. Descriptions of historical epidemics commonly focus on the most famous ones, namely plague and smallpox. However, countless other epidemics have occurred, for which records exist. Detailed studies of such historical epidemics could assist in recognizing shared patterns, both in the action of pathogens and in the reactions and counteractions of humanity.

With this Special Issue, we hope to encourage submissions that analyze and discuss archival material on historical epidemics, with the aim to learn from them and to prepare for the epidemics of the future.

Dr. Antoinette van der Kuyl
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Epidemiologia is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • epidemiology
  • history
  • pathogens
  • infectious disease
  • societal impact
  • health crisis
  • medical history

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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9 pages, 188 KiB  
Article
Excess Mortality and Social Vulnerabilities During the 1742–1743 Plague Epidemic: Demographic and Socioeconomic Impacts in Cordova and Santa Fe Along the Royal Road
by Valentina Villafañe and Jorge Hugo Villafañe
Epidemiologia 2025, 6(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia6010011 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 460
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The 1742–1743 plague epidemic had a profound impact on populations along the Royal Road (Camino Real), the principal trade route connecting Buenos Aires and Lima. This study aimed to quantify the demographic and socioeconomic consequences of the epidemic in Cordova and Santa [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The 1742–1743 plague epidemic had a profound impact on populations along the Royal Road (Camino Real), the principal trade route connecting Buenos Aires and Lima. This study aimed to quantify the demographic and socioeconomic consequences of the epidemic in Cordova and Santa Fe, with a focus on excess mortality and its broader implications for marginalized groups. Methods: This research utilized parish death records and complementary historical sources to calculate excess mortality in Cordova and Santa Fe during the epidemic. Mortality rates were compared across pre-epidemic (1740–1741), epidemic (1742–1743), and post-epidemic (1744–1745) periods. Additional data on demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, and ethnicity were analyzed to identify patterns of vulnerability and resilience. Results: Excess mortality during the epidemic was significant, with death rates in Cordova peaking at 12 times the pre-epidemic average in May 1743, while Santa Fe experienced a 45% increase in mortality, peaking in December 1743. Marginalized groups, including enslaved and Indigenous populations, were disproportionately affected, exacerbating existing social inequalities. The epidemic also disrupted socioeconomic structures and highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in both urban centers. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the critical role of excess mortality as a metric for understanding the demographic and socioeconomic impacts of historical epidemics. By integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses, it underscores the intersection of public health crises with social structures in colonial Latin America. The findings offer insights into resilience and recovery mechanisms relevant to both historical and contemporary public health strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemics Throughout the History)

Review

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9 pages, 624 KiB  
Review
From Conquests to Epidemics in 18th-Century South America: A Reflection on Social Resilience and Reconstruction: Review of the Literature
by Jorge Hugo Villafañe
Epidemiologia 2024, 5(4), 706-714; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia5040049 - 22 Nov 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 784
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This narrative review examines resilience and social reconstruction strategies implemented during the 1742–1743 plague along the Royal Road between Buenos Aires and Lima. The study explores how colonial authorities managed the epidemic and its long-term effects, providing insights into historical crisis management [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This narrative review examines resilience and social reconstruction strategies implemented during the 1742–1743 plague along the Royal Road between Buenos Aires and Lima. The study explores how colonial authorities managed the epidemic and its long-term effects, providing insights into historical crisis management and public health governance. Methods: A systematic analysis of primary and secondary historical records was conducted to identify public health measures, such as quarantines, hospital construction, and administrative reforms. Sources were retrieved from archives and databases, focusing on resilience strategies and institutional responses to the epidemic. Results: The findings highlight key public health interventions designed to contain the epidemic and mitigate its impacts. These included the establishment of quarantines, the construction of temporary hospitals, and administrative adaptations. Religious practices, such as novenas and community prayers, complemented institutional responses. The study underscores the role of colonial governance in adapting under epidemic pressures, illustrating an emergent institutional resilience. Conclusions: The 1742–1743 plague along the Royal Road serves as a case study for understanding the intersection of health crises and institutional adaptability. The review emphasizes the importance of coordinated public health measures and governance in addressing pandemics, offering lessons on resilience and social reconstruction applicable to contemporary health crises. This historical perspective enriches current discussions on crisis management and public health policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemics Throughout the History)
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