Plague (Yersinia pestis)
![Reportable by Providers and laboratories Reportable by Providers and laboratories](/content/tn/health/cedep/reportable-diseases/plague-yersinia-pestis/jcr%3acontent/contentFullWidth/tn_panel_copy_copy_c/content/tn_image.img.png/1528298142460.png)
![Plague (Yersinia pestis) Plague (Yersinia pestis)](/content/tn/health/cedep/reportable-diseases/plague-yersinia-pestis/jcr%3acontent/contentFullWidth/tn_panel_copy_copy_c/content/tn_textandimage/image.img.jpg/1528469281460.jpg)
Infectious agent: Yersinia pestis
Description of illness: Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals, caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually contract plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague. Antibiotics are effective in treating plague; however without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death.