Plague is also known as what disease?

Plague is a highly infectious disease caused by *Yersinia pestis*. Based on clinical manifestations and disease characteristics, plague can be classified into several types: mild plague, bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, septicemic plague, and other forms. Incubation periods vary among these types: 2–8 days for bubonic plague; several hours to 2–3 days for pneumonic plague; and up to 9–12 days in individuals who have received prior prophylactic vaccination. Below, we detail what other names plague is known by.

What other names is plague known by?

Plague is a severe infectious disease caused by *Yersinia pestis* infection and is designated as a quarantinable disease under international health regulations. It is also classified as a Category A notifiable infectious disease in China—the highest priority among the 39 legally mandated reportable infectious diseases. Plague is a zoonotic, naturally occurring disease primarily circulating among rodents, with rats and marmots serving as natural reservoirs of *Yersinia pestis*, and fleas acting as the primary vector. Clinical features include high fever, painful lymphadenopathy, cough, sputum production, dyspnea, hemorrhage, and other severe systemic toxic symptoms. Plague is highly contagious and associated with high mortality. Historically, it has caused multiple global pandemics, though its incidence has declined significantly worldwide. Therefore, prevention remains critically important.

Knowledge Extension: Modes of Plague Transmission

1. Direct Contact Transmission

Direct contact transmission occurs when humans come into direct contact with infected animals or with infectious secretions or excretions. Common examples include hunting or skinning marmots, or being bitten by rats carrying *Yersinia pestis*.

2. Respiratory (Airborne) Transmission

Respiratory transmission refers to person-to-person spread via inhalation of infectious droplets expelled during breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing—particularly in cases of secondary or primary pneumonic plague—and may rapidly lead to widespread pneumonic plague outbreaks. During the skinning of infected animals, aerosolized droplets may also be inhaled, resulting in direct respiratory infection.

3. Vector-Borne Transmission (via Insect Vectors)

This mode primarily involves transmission through the bite of infected fleas. After feeding on blood from infected rodents (e.g., rats or marmots), fleas transmit *Yersinia pestis* to humans upon subsequent bites. Key preventive measures include rodent and flea control and avoiding flea bites. Individuals traveling to or working in plague-endemic areas should avoid sleeping outdoors on grassy ground, refrain from capturing marmots or other rodents, and avoid contact with dead animals.

The above provides an overview of what other names plague is known by. We hope this information is helpful to you.