Plague: A New Old Disease

The bacteria Yersinia pestis is the etiologic agent of plague, one of the most devastating diseases in the history of humanity. The zoonosis - transmitted by infected fleas - is severe and distributed among countries of Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Humans are highly susceptible to the disease, and maybe infected directly or indirectly. Plague may reappear after decades of silence - with epidemic potential - which can aggravate its public health impact in the various regions. Additionally, due to its easy transmission and dissemination, plague is included with anthrax, botulism, smallpox, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Marburg, and Arena virus) in Group A of potential bioterrorism agents. This article presents the main clinical-epidemiological elements of the plague, emphasizing its etiology, transmission, pathogenesis, clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and aspects relating to bioterrorism.