Pneumonic plague claims life in the US: Symptoms, risks, and how it spreads

A recent pneumonic plague death in Northern Arizona, the first since 2007, has raised concerns about this rare but deadly disease. Caused by Yersinia pestis, it affects the lungs and spreads through respiratory droplets or from untreated bubonic/septicemic plague. Early symptoms include fever and pneumonia, requiring immediate antibiotic treatment to prevent fatality.