CNN: Black Death Spread by Humans, Vindicating Rats

“Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria, usually found in small mammals and their fleas,” reports the World Health Organization. “It is transmitted between animals through fleas. Humans can be infected through.” The Black Death pandemic occurring sporadically from the 14th to 19th centuries was not spread by rats, as once assumed, but through human fleas and body lice, reports Meera Senthilingam for CNN. Infections can also be spread by coughing and sneezing. University of Oslo researchers modeled transmission routes for the disease via rats, airborne droplets, and human fleas and lice, and determined the human links were a lead culprit. Senthilingam reports that “Outbreaks still occur today, with an outbreak in Madagascar last year infecting more than 1,800 people.” – YaleGlobal