Syphilis may have spread through Europe before Columbus

(University of Zurich) Columbus brought syphilis to Europe -- or did he? A recent study conducted at the University of Zurich now indicates that Europeans could already have been infected with this sexually transmitted disease before the 15th century. In addition, researchers have discovered a hitherto unknown pathogen causing a related disease. The predecessor of syphilis and its related diseases could be over 2,500 years old.
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news