• Question: how does a human become infected by the bubonic plague?

    Asked by claireachristie to Lyn, Katy, Paul, PB on 27 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Peter Balfe

      Peter Balfe answered on 27 Jun 2013:

      Classically a bite from an infected rat flea. The Yersinia pestis bacteria is carried by rats and the fleas transfer the bacteria. That’s the “Black death” route of the 13th – 16th centuries.
      But many other rodents carry this bacteria too, and sporadic transfers by other fleas are the most common cause these days.

    • Photo: Paul Waines

      Paul Waines answered on 27 Jun 2013:

      Hi claireachristie- I like this kind of question!

      Bubonic plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis- even the name sounds bad! Although of course humans can get it, most of the time its spread between rats and fleas in hot countries, although in america, Marmots (prairie dogs) often have it.

      Because most people dont tend to get bitten by rats (or prairie dogs), its the fleas which transfer the infection when they bite us.

      about a week after being bitten, victims feel very ill and then develop swellings (buboes, hence the name) all over. Some types of plague are even worse and they can all kill you- all because of something about a millionth of a metre long…

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