Native populations were nearly wiped out by the European diseases. Even the most simple disease could destroy a native village because no immunity was ever built up. The cold, damp climate caused some respiratory ailments. Probably the most deadly of all the diseases was smallpox. This disease is characterized by a high fever, rashes on the hands and face which would deteriorate and eventually become infected.
Death is caused by infection of the brain and lungs.
There were two major outbreaks.