The Black Death, the most infamous outbreak of the bubonic plague, lasted in Europe roughly from 1346 to 1353, about 7 years in total
. The initial devastating wave of the pandemic, which killed an estimated 25 to 50 million people in Europe alone (up to half the population), occurred primarily between 1347 and 1351
. After this first major wave, the plague did not disappear but recurred in Europe and surrounding regions in successive outbreaks for several centuries, constituting what is known as the Second Plague Pandemic. These subsequent waves continued intermittently until the early 19th century, with the last notable outbreaks occurring in the early 1700s and even into the 1800s in some areas
. In summary:
- The main Black Death pandemic wave lasted about 7 years (1346–1353).
- The plague reappeared periodically in Europe and nearby regions for nearly 500 years afterward.
- The entire period of plague presence in Europe is considered to extend from the mid-14th century to the early 19th century.
Thus, while the catastrophic initial outbreak was relatively short, the plague's impact and presence spanned several centuries.
