Plague 

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Latest news on plague, covering bubonic and pneumonic plague, Black Death, Yersinia pestis, outbreaks, symptoms, treatment and health agency updates.

Plague is a serious bacterial disease caused by Yersinia pestis, usually carried by fleas living on rodents. It takes three main forms: bubonic, pneumonic and septicaemic. Bubonic plague causes swollen lymph nodes, while pneumonic plague affects the lungs and can spread between people through coughing.

Plague has not disappeared. Hundreds of cases are reported worldwide each year, mostly in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with sporadic cases in Asia and the western United States. Prompt antibiotic treatment is highly effective, but untreated pneumonic plague is almost always fatal. Public health agencies such as the WHO and CDC monitor outbreaks and advise on quarantine and prevention.

Fresh attention has focused on laboratory safety after a suspected plague death at a research institute in Siberia in 2026. The case led to quarantine measures, close contact tracing and questions about transparency. Such incidents show why biosafety, official communication and rapid testing matter for diseases that can spread quickly.

Plague is also a human story, from families affected by outbreaks to health workers, researchers and communities in remote regions where wildlife carries the bacterium. Scientists continue to study vaccines, antibiotic resistance and the ecology of rodents such as marmots, while ancient DNA research reveals how the disease evolved.

The Black Death of the 14th century killed millions across Europe, Asia and North Africa and reshaped economies and societies. Earlier pandemics included the Plague of Justinian, and later outbreaks such as the Great Plague of London in 1665 left lasting marks on public health. Alexandre Yersin identified the bacterium in 1894, paving the way for modern treatment.

Our NewsNow feed on plague brings together the latest headlines on outbreaks, research, health warnings and biosafety from reliable sources, updated around the clock. Whether you are tracking a new case or curious about the disease's past, it keeps you informed.