We know that when the Spanish, Portuguese, and English (among others, they were just the three major nations per my understanding) explorers and settlers hit the Americas they brought decimating diseases with them. But viking explorers landed approximately 500 (ish) years earlier. Wouldn't they have brought the same Eurasian diseases with them?
Is there evidence of a first plague (or set of horrible diseases) with the vikings and then a second when the southern europeans colonized?
Hi there, while there's always more to be said on the topic, this section of our FAQ on the Norse and disease may be of interest to you.