The Plague of Solferino

The Battle of Solferino was important for three reasons. First, it helped result in a more unified Italy. Second, it was the last battle in Europe where the individual monarchs led their armies into battle. Finally, as a result of the carnage, Henri Dunant was inspired to write about the battle in "A Memory of Solferino", which led to both the Geneva Conventions and the Red Cross Movement.
But, what if someone (or someones) in the ranks had happened to be sick? What if they were sick with a contagious virus or bacterium, which would later spread among the tired and wounded survivors of the battle? What would the impact be, besides greater casualties?

Here are five people who could potentially be affected by the virus, all of who would leave significant impacts:
-Napoleon III of France. Had he died, his son would have ascended the throne- at the age of three. Who would have ruled as regent, and how would they have steered France? (Napoleon IV's rise to the throne could result in a minor change in the Zulu War as well...)
-Victor Emmanuel II of Italy would still have been "Padre della Patria", but would his heirs have been able to follow in his footsteps to unify Italy? Would his heirs have allowed a greater role of the Papacy in Italy?
-Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria's death would leave a number of butterflies. How would Crown Prince Rudolf have done upon the throne? How would Cardinal Rampolla have done as Pope? This could potentially change Austria-Hungary's role in World War I...or even eliminate it...
-Henri Dunant inspired the Red Cross movement and helped to found it as well, but, if Dunant had died, would world powers have been inspired to limit the use of certain weapons of war, establish guidelines for treatment of prisoners, or provide for the care of the wounded in battle? (After all, an epidemic killing many of the survivors of the battle could discourage others from doing the same in the future...)
-Norman Bethune Sr. was a Canadian physician travelling in Europe who tended the wounded after the battle. If he had died in the epidemic, his son Malcom could have discouraged his son, (Henry) Norman Bethune, from going into medicine or encouraged his love of medicine to take a more conventional turn, which could have a major impact on the field of blood transfusion ((Henry) Norman Bethune pioneered the first mobile blood transfusion unit), and the Spanish and Chinese Civil Wars ((Henry) Norman Bethune provided medical support to both of them. Mao himself wrote an essay in Bethune's honor after his death from blood poisoning.)

Further, can someone think of an appropriate disease for said epidemic? (I'm thinking a form of Influenza.) Please don't ruin this with a descent into Zombieism.

Any further impacts you can think of?
 
OK, how would it affect Verdi's popularity as a composer?

OTL, crowds thronged the streets yelling "VERDI, VERDI" nominally supporting music, but also as a code word/acronym: "Vittorio Emmanuel Rei D'Italia"... If Vittorio Emmanuel is dead....
 
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