Plague Mortality: Global Cases and Deaths – WHO 2017 Data

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2017 there were 3,248 reported plague cases globally, with 584 deaths (case fatality ~18%).

Geographic Distribution

• Madagascar – 70% of cases (endemic, seasonal outbreaks).
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Peru
• United States (rare, mostly Southwest)
• China

Key Facts

• Caused by Yersinia pestis, transmitted by fleas from rodents.
• Forms: bubonic (most common), septicemic, pneumonic (most lethal, person-to-person spread).
• Treatable with antibiotics (streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline) if started early.
• Risk to travelers is low; avoid rodent contact, use insect repellent in endemic areas.

Surveillance and rapid response keep global numbers relatively low despite endemic foci.