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Yersinia pestis is responsible for the “Black Death” plague that affected the far east centuries ago. Every year between 1000-2000 deaths are still reported to the World Health Organization. Between 1970 and 2020, 496 cases were reported in the United States. In 2008 it was commonly found in Africa and Madagascar. One molecular scientist lost his life researching a strain of Y. pestis in 2009.

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Scientific Classification

Domain: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Gammaproteobacteria

Order: Enterobacterales

Family: Yersiniaceae

Genus: Yersinia

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Gram stain - gram negative rods

Slow growing

Colonies are gray-white, slightly yellow and opaque after 48 hours on a culture.

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Most of Y. pestis infections come from rodents and their fleas. Primarily brown rats carry this pathogen. Several rodents carry this asymptomatically. Transmission is usually through the bite of infected fleas. Humans can spread the bacterium through airborne droplets or respiratory droplets.

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The life cycle of Y. Pestis mostly involves rodents and their transmission from adult fleas to animal hosts and between hosts. Infected animals and their fleas can become life long reservoir hosts for the bacteria. Y. pestis is easily killed by sunlight and drying out. When released in the air the bacterium can survive for up to an hour depending on conditions.

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Y. pestis infects the lymphatic system. When it gets into your cells it releases toxins to kill the cells. It can cause tender lymph nodes, fever,weakness,shortness of breath, chest pains and rapidly developing pneumonia. Without proper treatment it could be fatal.

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Called the “Black Death” the bubonic plague killed millions of people during the middles ages. Prevention does not include a vaccine. The term “Bubonic” comes from swollen lymph nodes called buboes. The infection caused by Y. pestis caused nodes to become swollen as large as eggs and ooze puss. They piled people in the streets from so many deaths caused by this plague in the Middle Ages.

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A bubo was a terrible symptom of the bubonic plague. These swollen lymphnodes swelled up to the size of a large fruit and were full of blood and pus. They appeared mostly on the groin, armpit and neck.

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How to prevent being infected by Y. pestis

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How to prevent being infected by Y. pestis

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The main way to avoid being infected by Y. pestis is to avoid contact with rodents. Making sure your home is secure against rodents can help prevent infection. Keep animals indoors and regularly apply flea products. Wearing bug spray with deet will help prevent infection. Removing debris in your home that could be potential shelter for rodents in your home will also help keep infection at bay.

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Could we survive the Y. pestis Plague in 2024…

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Could we survive the Y. pestis Plague in 2024…

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With modern technology Y. pestis can be identified quickly. Blood samples can be tested and verified of the disease and treatment can be started. Patients would have to be medically isolated immediately after being diagnosed. This disease is much less common and far more treatable than the Middle Ages.