Health Information Library

A rare but serious infection caused by bacteria spread by small animals and their fleas.

Bubonic plague is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. This germ lives in small rodents and their fleas. An infected flea can spread the bacteria to a human through a flea bite.

Symptoms of bubonic plague include very swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, groin or neck. Other symptoms are sudden high fever, chills, headache, tiredness, weakness and muscle aches. Some people have skin sores.

Bubonic plague is most often treated in the hospital with antibiotic medicines.