Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The bacteria is associated with wild rodents and sometimes rabbits. It is transmitted between rodents by fleas. It can also be associated with domestic cats that may come into contact with wild rodents and/or their fleas, and humans can be exposed in this way. It is most common in the western and southwestern United States.

"Bubonic plague" causes enlarged and painful lymph nodes along with fever, chills, aches and possible toxemia. It is the more common zoonotic form of the disease. "Pneumonic plague", which causes a fatal lung infection, is the form that was historically passed from person to person and was the cause of the "Black death" in the Middle Ages. This form is very rare in modern times. There is also a septicemic form of plague. Plague has been mentioned as a potential agent used for bioterrorism.

The disease is transmitted to humans through flea bites, or bites/scratches from wild rodents or rabbits and occasionally from bites or scratches from domestic cats.

Prevention

• Use caution when handling wild rodents or rabbits.
• Clean any wounds from wild rodents or rabbits immediately.
• Use flea control on domestic cats.
• Human cases can be treated with antibiotics.

For more information, go to www.health.state.mn.us/bioterrorism/plague/index.html