History of Bubonic plague in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 21, 2025

Bubonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, manifests 1-7 days post-exposure with flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, and vomiting. A hallmark symptom is swollen, painful lymph nodes (buboes) near the bacteria's entry point. Acral necrosis, skin darkening, can also occur. Buboes may rupture. It is one of the three forms of plague.

1900: Plague Cases in the US

Between 1900 and 2015, the United States had 1,036 human plague cases.

1900: Plague in San Francisco

From 1900 to 1904, the plague infected people in Chinatown in San Francisco.

1902: Chinese Exclusion Act

In 1902, authorities made permanent the Chinese Exclusion Act.

1904: Plague in San Francisco

From 1900 to 1904, the plague infected people in Chinatown in San Francisco.

1907: Plague in Oakland and East Bay

From 1907 to 1909, the plague infected people in the locales of Oakland and the East Bay.

1909: Plague in Oakland and East Bay

From 1907 to 1909, the plague infected people in the locales of Oakland and the East Bay.

1924: Last Major US Outbreak

In 1924, the last major outbreak in the United States occurred in Los Angeles.

1940: Bombing of Ningbo

In 1940, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service bombed Ningbo with fleas carrying the bubonic plague.

1941: Changde Plague Drop

In 1941, 40 members of Unit 731 air-dropped plague-contaminated fleas on Changde.

1959: Pandemic Considered Active

According to the World Health Organization, in 1959, the pandemic was considered active until worldwide casualties dropped to 200 per year.

1994: Plague Outbreak in India

In 1994, a plague outbreak in five Indian states caused an estimated 700 infections (including 52 deaths) and triggered a large migration of Indians within India as they tried to avoid the disease.

2001: Most Plague Cases

Since 2001, Zambia, India, Malawi, Algeria, China, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the most plague cases.

2003: Oran Outbreak Control

In 2003, targeted chemoprophylaxis, sanitation, and vector control played a role in controlling the Oran outbreak of the bubonic plague.

2010: Global Plague Cases

In 2010, globally there were 3,248 documented cases of the Bubonic plague.

2012: Madagascar Epidemics

From 2012 to 2017, Madagascar began to host regular epidemics of the Bubonic plague.

2013: Discovery of Plague Victims in England

In 2013, archeologists in England uncovered a burial mound to reveal 17 bodies, mainly children, who had died of the Bubonic plague and dental core analysis revealed the presence of Yersinia pestis.

2015: Plague Cases in the US

In 2015, 16 people in the western United States developed plague, including 2 cases in Yosemite National Park.

2015: Global Plague Cases

In 2015, globally there were 3,248 documented cases of the Bubonic plague resulting in 584 deaths.

November 2017: Madagascar Plague Outbreak

In November 2017, the Madagascar Ministry of Health reported a plague outbreak to the WHO with more cases and deaths than any recent outbreak in the country, with most cases being pneumonic rather than bubonic.

2017: Madagascar Epidemics

From 2012 to 2017, Madagascar began to host regular epidemics of the Bubonic plague.

June 2018: Idaho Plague Infection

In June 2018, a child was confirmed to be the first person in Idaho to be infected by bubonic plague in nearly 30 years.

May 2019: Mongolia Plague Deaths

In May 2019, a couple died in Mongolia, while hunting marmots and contracted Bubonic Plague.

November 2019: Inner Mongolia Plague Cases

In November 2019, two people in the province of Inner Mongolia, China, were treated for Bubonic Plague.

July 2020: Plague Cases in China and Mongolia

In July 2020, in Bayannur, Inner Mongolia of China, a human case of bubonic plague was reported. Also in July 2020, in Mongolia, a teenager died from bubonic plague after consuming infected marmot meat.

2022: Origin of the Plague

In 2022, researchers presented evidence that the plague originated near Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. The Mongols had cut the trade route (the Silk Road) between China and Europe, which halted the spread of the Black Death from eastern Russia to Western Europe.