Understand
What is pneumonic plague and how does it spread?
Overview
The World Health Organization has sought information from Russia regarding the death of a research worker at a Siberian plague laboratory, though Russian officials stated that contacts tested negative for pneumonic plague and tests showed no associated microorganisms. Pneumonic plague is a severe, rapidly incubating lung infection and the most virulent form of plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. While nearly always fatal if untreated, it responds well to early antibiotic treatment and can spread through infected animal contact, flea bites, or human-to-human transmission via infectious respiratory droplets.
Key points
- Pneumonic plague is a serious lung infection and is often described as the most virulent form of plague.
- It is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which persists in animal reservoirs such as rodents across many parts of the world.
- Transmission can occur via infected flea bites, handling infected animals, or human-to-human through coughing infectious droplets into the air.
- Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood, with a short incubation period that can be as brief as 24 hours.
- The disease is nearly always fatal if left untreated, but it responds well to early antibiotic intervention.
- Russian authorities and international bodies are investigating the death of a Siberian lab worker, though initial tests for pneumonic plague were negative.