Published by the European Food Safety Authority, this joint scientific report brings together data on the occurrence of zoonoses, zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks and zoonoses cases reported in humans.
Plague is caused by the bacillus Yersinia (Y.) pestis, belonging to the family of the Enterobacteriaceae. It evolved several thousand years ago from Y. pseudotuberculosis.
Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria. Blood sucking fleas transmit the bacteria among animals, and various species of rodents can become infected.
Cases are reported all year round, with an increase between April and July, and a peak in May. Small outbreaks still occur in Europe where areas with affected sheep and goat herds are considered at risk.