Yersinia pestis, also known as plague bacteria, causes three types of plague: bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and pneumonic plague. Transmission generally occurs through direct contact with infected tissue or bodily fluids, bites from infected fleas, or inhaling infected droplets. Antibiotics offer successful treatment in the majority of cases. While in the past, plague bacteria has killed millions of people, today, only a few thousand cases occur worldwide.
What Are Plague Bacteria?
Plague bacteria are
Yersinia pestis. Plague is an infectious disease that can affect humans, rodents, and ectoparasites (fleas, lice).
The Cause of Plague Bacteria
These plague bacteria are generally found in rodents and in the fleas that feed on them; rats are the most common source of plague. Other animals and humans usually contract the bacteria from rodent or flea bites.
There are three forms of plague that can be caused by a plague infection, which include:
Depending on the circumstances, these forms of plague may occur separately, or in combination.
Transmission of Plague Bacteria
Plague bacteria transmission generally occurs in one of three ways:
- Direct contact with infected tissue or body fluids
- Bites from infected rodent fleas
- Inhaling infected droplets.
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