Cocoliztli

Cocoliztli is a term from the Nahuatl language referring to an epidemic disease. The term has been used to describe the catastrophic epidemics that affected the indigenous populations of New Spain (now Mexico) during the 16th century, particularly the epidemics of 1545-1548 and 1576-1580. These epidemics are considered to be one of the deadliest disease events in human history.

History

The cocoliztli epidemics occurred in the wake of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, at a time when the indigenous populations of New Spain were already weakened by a series of smallpox epidemics. The 1545-1548 epidemic is estimated to have killed between 5 and 15 million people, while the 1576-1580 epidemic killed an estimated 2 million people.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cocoliztli included high fever, severe headache, vertigo, black tongue, dark urine, dysentery, severe abdominal and thoracic pain, large nodules behind the ears that often led to severe bleeding, acute neurologic disorders, and profuse bleeding from the nose, eyes, and mouth. Death could occur within 3 to 4 days of the onset of symptoms.

Cause

The cause of the cocoliztli epidemics has been the subject of much debate among historians and scientists. Some have suggested that the disease was a form of hemorrhagic fever, while others have suggested that it was a form of typhus. Recent research has suggested that the disease may have been caused by a strain of Salmonella, known as Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi C.

Impact

The cocoliztli epidemics had a profound impact on the indigenous populations of New Spain, leading to a significant decline in their numbers. The epidemics also had a significant impact on the social and cultural life of the region, leading to a shift in the balance of power and contributing to the consolidation of Spanish rule.

See also

• History of smallpox
• Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire
• Epidemiology of typhus

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