Plague persists in Africa and U.S. with rare cases reported yearly

The plague, a bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, persists today, with most human cases reported in Africa and an average of seven annually in the U.S., primarily in rural Western areas. The disease spreads via flea bites and infected bodily fluids, and symptoms vary by form, including bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic. Early antibiotic treatment is crucial for recovery, as untreated cases can be fatal. A recent suspected case in Siberia raised alarm, though Russian authorities found no plague evidence. Experts note the bacteria persists in wild rodent populations, making eradication impossible, though widespread transmission remains unlikely.