The plague was not caused by a virus, but by the bacteria Yersinia pestis.
Yersinia pestis is a zoonotic bacterium, meaning it primarily exists in animals, specifically small mammals like rodents, and is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas. Humans typically develop symptoms within one to seven days after infection. The two primary clinical forms of plague are:
- Bubonic plague: Characterized by swollen, painful lymph nodes called buboes.
- Pneumonic plague: A severe lung infection that can be transmitted directly from person to person through respiratory droplets.
It is crucial to understand that the plague is a bacterial infection, not a viral one. Treatment involves antibiotics.
