Key facts There are two main forms of plague: bubonic and pneumonic. Bubonic plague is the most common and is characterised by painful swollen lymph nodes or “buboes” It is spread through flea bites Antibiotics are effective against the disease so early diagnosis and treatment is important It has a mortality rate of up to 60 per cent. Overview Bubonic plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals, and is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis . Humans typically contract the disease if they are bitten by an infected flea or by handling infected tissue. Historically, plague was responsible for widespread epidemics with many deaths but today it is mainly confined to Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru. Signs and symptoms People infected with plague usually develop a sudden fever with other symptoms one to eight days after exposure to the bacterium.…