| 1655 Malta plague outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Disease | Plague |
| Bacteria strain | Yersinia pestis |
| Location | Malta |
| Date | 1655 |
Deaths | 20 |
The1655 Malta plague outbreak was a minor outbreak ofplague (Maltese:pesta) on the island ofMalta, thenruled by the Order of St John. The outbreak appeared inKalkara and some cases were reported inŻabbar and the urban area around theGrand Harbour. Restrictive measures were imposed and the outbreak was contained after causing 20 deaths.
At the time of the outbreak, Malta wasruled by theOrder of St John. In 1592–1593a plague epidemic had killed about 3,000 people on the island and there wasa small outbreak in 1623.[1]
In 1655 the plague was introduced to Malta through ships which had travelled from theEastern Mediterranean to the island. They were anchored in Kalkara Creek, and the disease was first detected in a man from the village ofKalkara who had contact with them. The plague spread to other family members inŻabbar, and physicians were informed of the possibility of a contagious disease. Some cases later appeared in the urban area around theGrand Harbour: inValletta,Birgu,Senglea andBormla.[1]
A medical commission was set up to investigate when the outbreak was detected, and it concluded that the disease was contagious and recommended the setting up of containment measures. Those who were infected were isolated at theLazzaretto onBishop's Island and those who had been in contact with them were quarantined. Their house and its contents were burnt down, and acordon sanitaire was imposed on the town of Żabbar. When the disease appeared in the other Grand Harbour settlements, similar restrictions on movement were imposed and through these measures the outbreak was successfully contained.[1]
During the 1655 outbreak, contact between Malta andSicily was limited due to restrictions imposed by theViceroy of Sicily.[2]
The outbreak caused the deaths of 20 people over a period of three months.[1]