Plague (Yersinia pestis)

Plague is a disease caused by Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis), a bacterium found in rodents and their fleas in many areas around the world.

• Plague Facts
  MDH fact sheet on plague, translated into 11 languages. Find out how you can get plague, how it is treated, and how it has been used as a terror weapon.
  
  
• CDC: Plague
  CDC information about the disease, including geographic distribution, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
  
  
• Reporting Plague
  Physicians in Minnesota must report plague immediately, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  
  
• Infection Control
  Droplet Precautions plus eye protection, in addition to Standard Precautions, should be implemented for patients with pneumonic plague. Patients without pneumonic plague require Standard Precautions.

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Spotlight

Please report any suspected cases of bioterrorism diseases or symptoms immediately by telephone to MDH at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.

High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) Toolbox for Frontline Health Care Facilities
The core of the Toolbox is a new screening algorithm that can be integrated into routine clinical workflows. This algorithm is combined with simple planning, training, and exercise tools that facilities can use and modify to ensure preparedness components are in place and regulatory requirements are met. In addition, an HCID Readiness Binder has been created which contains point of care tools to help aid responses to any suspect HCID situation. This Toolbox will be continually updated in response to user needs. The recommendations in this Toolbox are meant to create a standard for Minnesota Frontline facilities and are not regulatory.

If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.