A notable interaction between European settlers and indigenous peoples throughout history is spreading diseases native people have no immunity to. Why was the spread of indigenous diseases to European settlers much less widespread/well known?

Question

A notable interaction between European settlers and indigenous peoples throughout history is spreading diseases native people have no immunity to. Why was the spread of indigenous diseases to European settlers much less widespread/well known?

In: 0

Answer 1

A handful of sailors could introduce disease and kill thousands of indigenous people, but any illness passed the other way likely would have resulted in illness and death before departing to return to Europe or death and disposal at sea before returning to Europe. There were absolutely early settlements that were wiped out by illness but again, it’s a handful of people undertaking a knowingly risky endeavor vs large populations just minding their business suddenly being wiped out.