Case of bubonic plague detected in the UK as expert issues important warning over fatal infection
A HUMAN case of the bubonic plague has appeared in the UK, according to new figures.
The horror bug that previously wiped out half of Europe in the Black Death is already on Britain’s priority pathogens list.
Covid jab scientists are now racing to develop a vaccine over fears the disease could re-emerge and kill millions.
“We do see occasional cases,” Prof Paul Hunter, an expert in medicine at the University of East Anglia told The Sun.
“Most cases are due to people coming into close contact with wild rodents whilst being overseas.
“Usually it’s because of people not understanding that even cute looking wild animals should be kept at arm’s length. It is spread by fleas.”
The new case was reported in the latest edition of the Notification of Infectious Diseases (NOIDS) report, which tracks suspected infectious disease cases in England and Wales for the week ending March 23, 2025.
It does not specify any details of the person suspected to have the bug.
The last major outbreak of bubonic plague in the UK occurred in Suffolk in 1918.