Scientists have found evidence that a deadly disease struck hunter‑gatherers near Lake Baikal in Siberia about 5, 500 years ago. The bacteria responsible was an early form of Yersinia pestis, the same species that caused later pandemics. However, these ancient strains did not yet have all the tools
Plague, a disease that might sound like something from history books, has made a recent appearance in California. A person in South Lake Tahoe has tested positive for this bacterial infection, likely after a flea bite during a camping trip. This isn't an isolated case either; just last month, someon
In a surprising turn of events, a person from Arizona has recently passed away due to pneumonic plague. This marks the first death from this disease in the county since 2007. Back then, the victim had come into contact with a deceased animal carrying the plague. Plague, often called the "Black Death
In the heart of Tanzania, the Mbulu district faces a persistent health challenge: the plague. This disease, often spread by fleas, has been a recurring issue, but understanding why it keeps coming back has been tricky. Researchers dove into the homes of this rural area to figure out what's going on
Duck plague virus (DPV) is a serious threat to waterfowl, causing a deadly disease in ducks, geese, and other wild birds. This virus has a clever way of replicating inside its hosts. One key player in this process is a protein called pUL42. This protein is part of the virus's DNA polymerase, which i
Duck plague virus (DPV) is a nasty piece of work. It belongs to the herpesvirus family and can cause serious sickness and even death in ducks. It's known for causing a severe blood infection that affects many organs. One part of the virus, called gG, is a protein that doesn't help the virus reproduc
The role of vaccines in public health has always been a hot topic, but it's not new. In the late 1800s, a Bengali prophet-astrologer wrote essays about the plague vaccine during a major outbreak in Calcutta. This prophet-astrologer had a lot to say about the plague vaccine. At first, he was not a
The plague, caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, has struck humanity three times in history. It's surprising that some strains, like biovar microtus, don't affect humans as much. This bacteria has a clever trick up its sleeve. It can survive and grow inside the immune cells of warm-blooded animal
