When Vikings colonists first encountered indigenous Americans did they also spread disease just like later Spanish and English colonists?

by nolatourguy

I read Guns Germs and Steel along with another book, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. Both books present a similar theory, that disease was a major contributing factor in the decimation of indigenous Americans. But Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive in the Americas, did they also introduce disease? Why wasn't it as devestating?

Searocksandtrees

a popular question! check out a few previous discussions in the FAQ*

Native Americans and (European) Diseases

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nolatourguy

What would these diseases be?

newoldwave

I've wondered why the disease transmission wasn't the other way around?