This event may have been the decisive trigger for the Black Death in Europe.<p>Interestingly, Yersenia Pestis is endemic to certain marmot that lives in Mongolia and also happen to be a delicacy when eaten with hot stones (Khorkog; the cheaper version when you cant afford a sheep)<p>A couple of years ago I watched a documentary where Julia Robert's visited Mongolia and tried out the dish. She totally gagged at the taste!