EPI-WIN digest 54 - Plague in the 21st century: new evidence to control a re-emerging zoonotic disease

Overview

Plague, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, has affected humans for thousands of years and has been responsible for three major pandemics in human history, causing millions of deaths. The first, known as the Plague of Justinian, occurred in the 6th century; the second, known as the Black Death, occurred in the 14th century, killing up to one-third of the European population; and the third began in the late 19th century. Considered today a re-emerging disease, plague is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas and is associated with high mortality rates, especially in endemic, resource-limited settings. Therefore, early identification and prompt management of cases are crucial to ensure improved clinical and public health outcomes and inform the implementation of appropriate control measures. Recent data from a randomized controlled trial on bubonic plague offer valuable insights into plague treatment strategies and may be used to support global control efforts.

For further information, please visit the event page for the EPI-WIN Webinar 'plague in the 21st century: new evidence to control a re-emerging zoonotic disease'.