WI: No Plague of Justinian?

As the title says, what if the Plague of Justinian never occurred (this includes any reruns down the centuries). While this might be ASB, for the sake of the discussion assume no disease steps in to fill the gap.

Would the Eastern Roman Empire have been more successful? Could it have retaken the West?
 
Actually, if you could even delay that plague by, say, 50 years, it might make a huge difference.

If the (no longer E)RE can consolidate its conquests, and recover from the military (and economic) overextension, the Empire might be in a stronger position, when it does hit. While they might loose some of the western empire again, they might do a better job of dealing with the Slavic influx. The Balkans, in particular, might look VERY different today.

Holding off any major plagues forever just isn't going to work, because SOMETHING will arise and devastate the land.
 
How much did the plauge affect the rest of europe and the middle east? If everyone lost the same amount of population (% wise) would not the same thing happen if they didn't?
 
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