The bubonic plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, manifests flu-like symptoms one to seven days after exposure. These symptoms include fever, headaches, vomiting, and swollen, painful lymph nodes near the infection site. A key symptom is buboes, which are swollen lymph nodes that can sometimes rupture. Another potential symptom is acral necrosis, characterized by darkening of the skin.
1900: US Plague Cases (1900-2015)
Between 1900 and 2015, the United States reported 1,036 human plague cases.
1900: San Francisco Plague Outbreak
From 1900 to 1904, a plague outbreak occurred in Chinatown, San Francisco.
1902: Chinese Exclusion Act Made Permanent
In 1902, the Chinese Exclusion Act was made permanent following a plague outbreak in San Francisco.
1904: End of San Francisco Plague Outbreak
The plague outbreak in San Francisco's Chinatown ended in 1904.
1907: Oakland and East Bay Plague Outbreak
A plague outbreak occurred in Oakland and the East Bay from 1907 to 1909.
1909: End of Oakland and East Bay Plague Outbreak
The plague outbreak in Oakland and the East Bay ended in 1909.
1924: Los Angeles Plague Outbreak
The last major plague outbreak in the United States occurred in Los Angeles in 1924.
1940: Ningbo Plague Bombing
In 1940, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service bombed Ningbo with plague-infected fleas.
1941: Changde Plague Attack
In 1941, Unit 731 of the Imperial Japanese Army air-dropped plague-contaminated fleas on Changde, causing an outbreak.
1959: Plague Pandemic Declared Inactive
The plague pandemic was considered active until 1959, when global casualties dropped to 200 per year, according to the World Health Organization.
1994: Indian Plague Outbreak
A plague outbreak in India in 1994 caused an estimated 700 infections and 52 deaths, leading to a large migration within the country.
2001: Plague Cases Reported to WHO (2001-2017)
From 2001 onwards, several countries reported a significant number of plague cases to the WHO, with the Democratic Republic of Congo reporting over 1,100 cases.
2003: Oran Plague Outbreak
In 2003, an outbreak of bubonic plague occurred in Oran, Algeria. Targeted chemoprophylaxis, sanitation, and vector control measures were employed to control the outbreak.
2010: Global Plague Cases and Deaths (2010-2015)
Between 2010 and 2015, 3,248 plague cases resulted in 584 deaths globally.
2010: Global Plague Cases and Deaths (2010-2015)
Between 2010 and 2015, there were 3,248 documented plague cases and 584 deaths worldwide.
2012: Madagascar Plague Epidemics
Starting in 2012, Madagascar experienced regular plague epidemics due to political unrest and poor hygienic conditions.
2013: England Plague Burial Discovery
In 2013, archaeologists in England discovered a burial mound containing 17 bodies, mostly children, who died from the bubonic plague in the 1530s. This was confirmed through radiocarbon dating and dental core analysis revealing the presence of Yersinia pestis.
2015: Global Plague Cases and Deaths (2010-2015)
Between 2010 and 2015, 3,248 plague cases resulted in 584 deaths globally.
2015: Global Plague Cases and Deaths (2010-2015)
Between 2010 and 2015, there were 3,248 documented plague cases and 584 deaths worldwide.
2015: US Plague Cases (1900-2015)
In 2015, 16 people in the western United States developed the plague, including two cases in Yosemite National Park. Between 1900 and 2015, the U.S. had 1,036 human plague cases.
November 2017: Madagascar Plague Outbreak
In November 2017, Madagascar reported a large plague outbreak to the WHO, with a high number of pneumonic cases.
2017: Madagascar Plague Epidemics
Madagascar experienced regular plague epidemics from 2012 to 2017 due to political unrest and poor hygiene.
June 2018: Idaho Bubonic Plague Case
In June 2018, a child in Idaho became the first person infected with bubonic plague in the state in almost 30 years.
May 2019: Mongolia Plague Deaths
In May 2019, a couple died from the plague in Mongolia while hunting marmots.
November 2019: Inner Mongolia Plague Cases
In November 2019, two people in Inner Mongolia, China, were treated for the plague.
July 2020: Bubonic Plague Cases in China and Mongolia
In July 2020, a case of bubonic plague was reported in Bayannur, Inner Mongolia, China, triggering a city-wide plague prevention system. In the same month, a teenager died from bubonic plague in Mongolia after consuming infected marmot meat.
2022: Plague Origin Research
In 2022, researchers presented evidence suggesting the plague originated near Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.