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I had an uncle that I've... | Almanac.com

I had an uncle that I've...

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I had an uncle that I’ve been told died of the Black Measles. What were the Black Measles?
Answer
Black Measles is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms can be severe and include the sudden onset of headache, chills, and fever. A rash usually, but not always, appears on the extremities. At first glance it would be hard to tell Black Measles from Lyme disease, a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Both these diseases are symptomatically similar to German measles (Rubella) which is caused by a virus. All three diseases are potentially deadly.