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The death of a lab worker in Siberia has raised concerns about a possible case of pneumonic plague, though the cause of her illness remains unconfirmed. Pneumonic plague is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and can progress rapidly without treatment.
Learn more about its symptoms, how it differs from bubonic plague, and whether it occurs in the United States.
Is Pneumonic Plague Found in the U.S.?
Yes, but it is rare. The United States reports an average of seven human plague cases annually, counting all forms of the disease. Most occur in the rural West, and more than 80% have been bubonic plague, according to the CDC.
Pneumonic plague has also occurred in the U.S. In July 2025, a young adult man in northern Arizona died from the infection after possible occupational exposure to sick cats. It was Arizona’s first pneumonic plague death since 2007, according to a CDC report.
The suspected case in Russia does not establish a threat to Americans. “At this time, there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States,” the CDC said in a statement, per NBC News. The agency said it would continue monitoring the situation.
What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonic Plague?
Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, and pneumonia that develops rapidly. People may experience coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and sometimes bloody or watery mucus. Anyone with symptoms that suggest plague should seek immediate medical attention, according to the CDC.
Is Pneumonic Plague the Same as Bubonic Plague?
Pneumonic and bubonic plague are different forms of an infection caused by the same bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Bubonic plague usually follows an infected flea bite and affects the lymph nodes, producing painful swellings called buboes. Pneumonic plague affects the lungs and can develop when someone inhales infectious respiratory particles or when an existing plague infection spreads to the lungs.
Is There a Cure for Pneumonic Plague?
Yes. Antibiotics can cure pneumonic plague when treatment begins early, but the infection can become fatal rapidly without appropriate care. Treatment generally lasts 10 to 14 days, and doctors may give antibiotics orally or intravenously depending on the severity of the illness. Recommended medications include gentamicin and fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.
“Never delay or withhold treatment pending the receipt of laboratory test results,” the CDC advises clinicians.
