This event may have been the decisive trigger for the Black Death in Europe.

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)

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!