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First recorded case of smallpox amongst Taíno communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

1518

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By 1519, smallpox will have killed 1/3 of the population on the island the Spanish call "Hispaniola." Priests' written accounts document the cultural devastation resulting from these pandemics. In particular, they reflect on the impact of the death of so many Indigenous community members, particularly elders. This devastation then interrupts the generational passing of family support and nursing care, as care workers are unable to pass along their teachings due to dying from smallpox, and vulnerable family members are left isolated without support from their kin.