Plague

Plague is a disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, that affects humans and other mammals. Humans typically get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague. Plague is treated with antibiotics. Without prompt treatment, plague can cause serious illness or death. Plague symptoms depend on how the patient was exposed to the plague bacteria. Click here to read about the different forms of plague and the associated symptoms.