Plague.

a reply to: fastzombie

It peaked in Europe from 1347 to 1351.

So they missed it by about 140 years in the Americas.

The worst of it anyway.

However, the last urban plague epidemic was indeed reported in the United States, occurring in Los Angeles from 1924 through 1925.

a reply to: fastzombie

Yersenia pestis is, particularly in the southwest and in certain rodent and small mammal populations. Prairie dogs and ferrets are particularly susceptible.

a reply to: Hefficide

Did the European settlers import it. It's weird that Europeans were coming over along with the ships and the rats but I'm not aware of any outbreaks in the US before the 20thC

a reply to: fastzombie

As long as any outbreaks were kept under control i don't imagine it's something any town nor city would be likely to put there hands up to having the plague, as it hardly bodes well for opulence, business, settlement, nor tourism.

Probably kept in quiet.

a reply to: andy06shake

That's a fair point. It was actively covered up in some historical cases.

Are there any documented outbreaks in the US during the 16th/17thC?

a reply to: fastzombie

Not sure mate I'm from Scotland.

Certainly documented cases over here in or around the 16th/17th century.

Some cities still have the pits to prove it.

a reply to: andy06shake

Edinburgh, like London seems riddled with plague pits.

It seems interesting that that's one thing the pilgrims didn't import over to the colonies. Given it's prevalence here.