Man dies in US from bacteria that caused the 'Great Plague' in the Middle Ages

The bacterium Yersinia pestis is capable of transmitting the three most common forms of plague: pneumonic, bubonic, and septicemic. The "Great Plague," caused by the bacterium , was one of the deadliest pandemics in history, killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Cocorino County had not recorded any deaths from the disease since 2007. In the most recent case, the victim died after coming into contact with a dead animal infected with the plague.

Despite the case, local authorities said the risk of exposure to plague is low. Human exposure is low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency states on its website that plague is rare but typically occurs in western regions of the country, such as Arizona, where it typically circulates among wild rodents and other animals. On average, seven cases of human plague are reported annually in the U.S.

Infection, symptoms and treatment

Humans can contract the bacteria through the bite of an infected rodent flea or by handling an infected animal. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and rapidly progressing pneumonia—including shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing. The infected person may also experience episodes of swollen lymph nodes in areas such as the groin and armpits. Symptoms usually appear one to eight days after contact with the bacteria.

It is possible to treat the disease with antibiotics, but treatment must be carried out quickly.