Prior to advances in medical understanding, what supernatural explanation was commonly attributed to outbreaks of disease?

The belief that vampires infect the living aligns with the historical context of how societies interpreted disease outbreaks through supernatural means. In many cultures, particularly in Eastern Europe, vampires were often seen as malevolent creatures that could drain the life force from the living, and this was sometimes linked to sudden illnesses or plagues. The fear of the undead, particularly due to the mysterious nature of diseases, led to explanations that tied illness to supernatural entities like vampires.

While other supernatural explanations also existed, such as the idea of witches casting spells or malicious gods punishing communities, these interpretations did not specifically align with the manifestations and folklore surrounding vampires. The association between vampires and disease not only reflects societal fears but also highlights the historical connection between the undead and epidemics at certain points in time, especially before the origins of diseases were understood through a medical lens.