An acute infectious disease characterized by severe prostration, delirium, and diarrhea caused by Pasteurella pestis.
An infectious disease which occurs in epidemics where many people are killed.
The organism causing epidemic plague—formerly in the Pasteurella genus—is now named Yersinia pestis.
Infectious disease caused by the bite of rat fleas infected with Yersinia pestis.
This infection also known as bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Plague remains a major infection in many tropical countries.
Any widespread contagious disease associated with a high death rate.
A remarkably contagious illness that can lead to severe consequences if left untreated in a timely manner. The bacteria responsible for the plague primarily target rats, mice, squirrels, and various other wild rodents as their hosts. The transmission of this ailment to humans occurs through fleas. Once individuals become infected, they can further propagate the disease among others.
A severe contagious illness brought about by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. While its primary impact is on rodents, it can be transmitted to humans through flea bites. Plague was responsible for one of the most significant pandemics in history: the “Black Death” during the 14th century, which claimed the lives of 25 million individuals in Europe alone. Presently, cases of human plague arise sporadically in various regions worldwide, excluding Europe.
There are two primary forms: bubonic and pneumonic. Bubonic plague emerges from a flea bite infected with the bacterium. Pneumonic plague can arise as a complication of bubonic plague or spread through respiratory droplets released during coughing by an infected individual.
Bubonic plague is distinguished by the development of swollen lymph nodes, referred to as “buboes.” Typically, symptoms commence around two to five days following infection, featuring fever, chills, and intense headache. Subsequently, tender and reddened buboes emerge, often in the groin region. The skin around the buboes might experience bleeding, leading to the formation of dark patches. In some cases, the individual might experience seizures. Untreated, the person’s condition can rapidly deteriorate, possibly resulting in death. On occasion, blood poisoning known as septicemia might lead to fatality even before the appearance of buboes.
Pneumonic plague targets the respiratory system, leading to pronounced symptoms such as intense coughing, which results in the production of sputum containing blood and froth, along with difficulty in breathing. In the absence of timely intervention, the outcome is nearly always fatal.
To confirm the diagnosis, a sample of fluid from a bubo or a sputum specimen is collected to detect the presence of plague bacteria. Potential treatments include the administration of streptomycin and tetracycline medications.
A contagious disease mainly found in Eastern Asia, which in the past caused outbreaks across Europe and Asia Minor. This acute illness is marked by swollen lymph nodes, lung inflammation, and widespread bleeding, resulting in a high death rate. While it primarily affects rodents like rats, humans contract it through flea bites. The disease thrives in unclean environments with limited light and ventilation, and where rodents are plentiful. Symptoms, which develop 3 to 8 days after exposure, include fever, swollen lymph glands, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rapid decline in health. The repeated outbreaks in London only ceased after the Great Fire of London, which eliminated both the rats and the unsanitary conditions.
The term is also used to describe any severe epidemic illness.