Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 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.