The bacteria for the plague is called Yersinia pestis. Unlike in medieval times when humans would call almost any pandemic a plague it is now known that this is the only bacteria that actually causes plague symptoms. It maintains it’s existence through a cycle involving rodents and their fleas. The transmission of these bacteria can be done in three main forms. The first form is through flea bites. Since the fleas get the bacteria from rats when they bite them, they can easily transmit the bacteria to humans when they jump from one organism to the other. The second way you can transmit the disease is through contact with contaminated fluid or tissue. The CDC uses the example of a hunter skinning an animal such as a rabbit without taking the necessary precautions. They can be infected with the bacteria if the animal was carrying it. The third and final way to transmit the plague is through infectious droplets. This is mainly found through plague pneumonia where an organism coughs droplets containing plague bacteria into the air. These droplets can be breathed in by other organisms and in turn they will become infected. 

Most cases of the plague in the US today are bubonic plague and occur due to flea bites. These cases are almost completely located in rural parts of the southwestern United States in places such as New Mexico, Arizona, or California. The plague can be treated with antibiotics. In the case of pneumonic plague the CDC says that patients should be hospitalized and isolated. Lab tests are done to confirm that it is indeed the Plague. There is also an examination of the lymph nodes, blood, and sputum. Antibiotics should be given preferably within 24 hours of the first symptoms. 

The biggest reason for the resurgence of the plague in Madagascar after 2009 is their cultural norm of unburying dead family members to ask them questions about family matters or if you want blessings for fertility. It is a tradition called “turning the bones.” You can only imagine that if a family member died of the plague and then you go in and dig them up to ask them a question and touch them that you will probably be at a very big risk of getting the plague as well. 

Another reason for the resurgence of the plague is due to the large number of rats in the country’s prisons. It is proposed that if the fleas infect these rats than they are also infecting the prisoners, the guards, and any guests that come and go from the prison which would threaten the public.