♻️ap environmental science review

Bubonic Plague

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The bubonic plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is primarily transmitted through fleas that infest rats and other small mammals, and it can cause severe illness and high mortality rates if left untreated.