Plague: A Rare but Persistent Disease

Plague is a disease of humans and other mammals caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Infamous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages, it is today a rare but persistent cause of illness in rural parts of the western United States and in certain regions of Africa and Asia.

How people catch it

People usually become infected through the bite of an infected rodent flea or, less often, by handling an infected animal.

Signs of plague in wildlife

Plague occurs naturally in parts of the western United States. Sudden illness or death among wild rodents such as squirrels or prairie dogs may be a sign that plague is active in an area.

Treatment

Plague can be cured with antibiotics, but they must be given quickly to prevent serious illness or death.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "About Plague": https://www.cdc.gov/plague/about/index.html