{"id":2186207,"date":"2026-10-08T14:05:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T11:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2186207"},"modified":"2026-10-08T14:05:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T11:05:28","slug":"the-disease-that-once-ravaged-europe-still-exists-could-plague-return-to-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2186207","title":{"rendered":"The disease that once ravaged Europe still exists: could plague return to Spain?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/38\/27\/1200x675_cmsv2_fa727fbe-971c-5862-aee3-635d91f1143a-9943827.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2932100-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932100\" data-cid=\"9944895\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932100-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/48\/95\/189x106_cmsv2_675d9578-dbf5-5568-a4f3-db084b885dd2-9944895.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores attend an event in Caracas on 23 January 2024.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     Nicolas Maduro and his wife face new US torture charges\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932113-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932113\" data-cid=\"9944921\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932113-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/49\/21\/189x106_cmsv2_01c81667-7d83-57f6-a082-ac1dc6880687-9944921.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | October 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | October 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932096-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932096\" data-cid=\"9944867\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932096-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/48\/67\/189x106_cmsv2_74ea86a9-9f85-5b64-81af-332c5f58ce3a-9944867.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The list celebrates the best watering holes worldwide\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Best 50 bars in the world have been revealed \u2013 and 18 are in Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932075-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932075\" data-cid=\"9944700\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932075-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/47\/00\/189x106_cmsv2_c057c7a2-83cd-54b5-9467-626a72edd019-9944700.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP Photo\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heavy autumn snow paralyses roads in Russia\u2019s Far East\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932100-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2932100\" data-cid=\"9944895\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932100-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/48\/95\/189x106_cmsv2_675d9578-dbf5-5568-a4f3-db084b885dd2-9944895.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores attend an event in Caracas on 23 January 2024.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     Nicolas Maduro and his wife face new US torture charges\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932113-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932113\" data-cid=\"9944921\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932113-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/49\/21\/189x106_cmsv2_01c81667-7d83-57f6-a082-ac1dc6880687-9944921.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | October 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | October 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932096-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2932096\" data-cid=\"9944867\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932096-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/48\/67\/189x106_cmsv2_74ea86a9-9f85-5b64-81af-332c5f58ce3a-9944867.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The list celebrates the best watering holes worldwide\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Best 50 bars in the world have been revealed \u2013 and 18 are in Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932075-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932075\" data-cid=\"9944700\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932075-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/47\/00\/189x106_cmsv2_c057c7a2-83cd-54b5-9467-626a72edd019-9944700.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP Photo\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heavy autumn snow paralyses roads in Russia\u2019s Far East\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Health<\/p>\n<p>                          Health news<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            The disease that once ravaged Europe still exists: could plague return to Spain?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/38\/27\/1536x864_cmsv2_fa727fbe-971c-5862-aee3-635d91f1143a-9943827.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE: People wearing masks as a precaution walk inside a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday 8 January 2024.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE: People wearing face masks as a precaution walk inside a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, Monday 8 January 2024.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspChristina Thykjaer\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1791468328\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-08 16:05:28 +02:00\">08\/10\/2026 &#8211; 16:05 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The death of a scientist in Russia has reignited fears of plague. Spain has seen no local cases for decades, yet the disease persists elsewhere. How real is the risk in Europe?<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--health js-article-content\">\n<p>Plague, one of the deadliest diseases in history, has once again made headlines in recent days following the death of a scientist in Irkutsk, in Siberia. The woman died from pneumonia of unknown origin, which raised suspicions of a possible pneumonic plague infection.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, the Russian authorities have stated that no cases of plague have been confirmed in the region and that tests carried out on the deceased woman\u2019s contacts have come back negative. The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested additional information to clarify what happened and has offered its support to the Russian authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Although no cases of routine transmission of this disease have been recorded in Europe for decades, the bacterium that causes it remains present in different parts of the world and continues to cause human infections every year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Pneumonic plague suspected in Russia: What we know and what is the risk to Europe?<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Russia denies plague death but quarantines hundreds without explanation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Does plague currently exist in Spain and Europe?<\/h2>\n<p>Plague is not currently circulating routinely in Spain or in the rest of Europe. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the disease has been absent from the continent for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n<p>This does not mean, however, that the bacterium has been eradicated from the planet. Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a microorganism that lives naturally in certain populations of small mammals, especially rodents, and in the fleas that infest them.<\/p>\n<p>The bacterium can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, contact with tissues or body fluids from infected animals and, in the case of pneumonic plague, via respiratory particles from sick people.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, although the current risk for the Spanish and European population is very low, the disease can still appear wherever there are animal reservoirs of the bacterium.<\/p>\n<h2>Is there a risk of plague in Spain? What the Health Ministry says<\/h2>\n<p>Spain has gone decades without registering locally acquired cases of plague, but it maintains active epidemiological surveillance of the disease. In April 2026 the Public Health Commission updated the national protocol, revising case definitions, the epidemiological characteristics of the infection and the information that must be collected in the event of possible infections.<\/p>\n<p>This update, which predates the incident in Siberia, adds to the early-warning mechanisms already in place in Spain. For its part, the European Union examined the Russian case on 7 October, although international health authorities are still awaiting information that could clarify the cause of the researcher\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<h2>Where does plague still occur in the world?<\/h2>\n<p>According to the WHO, plague remains endemic in several countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Between 2019 and 2025, most of the human cases reported to the organisation were concentrated in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Madagascar, for example, cases of bubonic plague are recorded virtually every year during the epidemic season, which usually runs from September to April.<\/p>\n<p>The disease also appears sporadically in regions of Asia and the Americas. In the United States, an average of around seven human cases are reported each year, mainly in rural areas in the west of the country.<\/p>\n<p>The persistence of the bacterium in wild animals explains why it is so difficult to eliminate the disease completely, even when human cases are rare.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-euronews\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n<div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n        \n      <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What is the difference between bubonic and pneumonic plague?<\/h2>\n<p>Plague can present in three main forms: bubonic, pneumonic and septicaemic. Bubonic plague is the most common and usually occurs after the bite of an infected flea. It causes fever, general malaise and painful swelling of the lymph nodes, known as buboes.<\/p>\n<p>Pneumonic plague affects the lungs and is particularly dangerous because it can be transmitted from person to person via respiratory particles. Without treatment, it can progress rapidly and prove fatal. Septicaemic plague, meanwhile, occurs when the bacterium multiplies in the bloodstream and can lead to a severe, generalised infection.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike what happened during the great epidemics of the past, plague can now be treated with antibiotics. However, early diagnosis is essential to avoid serious complications and reduce the risk of death.<\/p>\n<h2>What risk does the Siberia case pose for Europe?<\/h2>\n<p>The suspected case of pneumonic plague in Siberia has prompted European health authorities to monitor the situation closely. The European Commission included the Russian incident on the agenda of its Health Security Committee meeting on 7 October, while the ECDC pointed out that there was no evidence of secondary cases or sustained person-to-person transmission.<\/p>\n<p>The WHO has also concluded that the risk to the European region is very low. Although the disease has not been eradicated worldwide, its presence on other continents does not mean that Europe is facing a new epidemic.<\/p>\n<p>Epidemiological surveillance, early detection of cases and treatment with antibiotics are crucial tools to prevent its spread. Plague still exists, but today\u2019s health situation is very different from the one that allowed the Black Death to devastate Europe in the 14th century.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2931116-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931116\" data-cid=\"9939760\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931116-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/96\/47\/480x270_cmsv2_af8adb55-8bf9-569a-b77d-5980d6f5a664-9939647.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"In this undated handout photo released by the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, staff are seen working in a laboratory.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Russia<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia denies lab worker died of plague as quarantine stays in place<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931109-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2931109\" data-cid=\"9939591\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931109-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/95\/91\/480x270_cmsv2_c34de852-b4ed-5d96-82fb-4d313c34b396-9939591.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pneumonic plague can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU monitors &#8216;very closely&#8217; suspected plague outbreak in Russia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930844-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2930844\" data-cid=\"9938595\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930844-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/85\/55\/480x270_cmsv2_84ed9e34-4d32-5a31-81d8-b31e38e90715-9938555.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian authorities say the situation in the region is stable (archive photo)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Has plague returned to Siberia? Panic after lab worker&#8217;s death<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Spain<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Public health<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Health<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Europe<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Disease<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Childhood trauma affects most young people in Europe, WHO warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2931794-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931794\" data-cid=\"9943226\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931794-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/32\/26\/320x180_cmsv2_5fa930e0-4b60-5191-a2ae-dfe7e2646c16-9943226.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Women in this Sardinian village live exceptionally long.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Researchers are after Sardinian women&#8217;s longevity secret<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2932032-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932032\" data-cid=\"9944446\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932032-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/44\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_01eb4c4a-e44a-5923-8504-f6747f63b1ab-9944446.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU is pressing Russia to share information about the suspected plague case.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU presses Russia for more details on suspected plague case<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article 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loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931116-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931116\" data-cid=\"9939760\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931116-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/96\/47\/480x270_cmsv2_af8adb55-8bf9-569a-b77d-5980d6f5a664-9939647.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"In this undated handout photo released by the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, staff are seen working in a laboratory.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Russia<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia denies lab worker died of plague as quarantine stays in place<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931109-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2931109\" data-cid=\"9939591\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931109-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/95\/91\/480x270_cmsv2_c34de852-b4ed-5d96-82fb-4d313c34b396-9939591.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pneumonic plague can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU monitors &#8216;very closely&#8217; suspected plague outbreak in Russia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930844-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2930844\" data-cid=\"9938595\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930844-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/85\/55\/480x270_cmsv2_84ed9e34-4d32-5a31-81d8-b31e38e90715-9938555.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian authorities say the situation in the region is stable (archive photo)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Has plague returned to Siberia? Panic after lab worker&#8217;s death<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931994-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931994\" data-cid=\"9944214\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931994-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/42\/14\/320x180_cmsv2_da69f242-068a-572d-92f0-b229c3449231-9944214.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Childhood trauma affects most young people in Europe.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Childhood trauma affects most young people in Europe, WHO warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931794-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931794\" data-cid=\"9943226\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931794-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/32\/26\/320x180_cmsv2_5fa930e0-4b60-5191-a2ae-dfe7e2646c16-9943226.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Women in this Sardinian village live exceptionally long.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Researchers are after Sardinian women&#8217;s longevity secret<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932032-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932032\" data-cid=\"9944446\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932032-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/44\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_01eb4c4a-e44a-5923-8504-f6747f63b1ab-9944446.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU is pressing Russia to share information about the suspected plague case.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU presses Russia for more details on suspected plague case<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930723-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930723\" data-cid=\"9941355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930723-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/80\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_2bc19e26-2653-5320-b4ea-88157b9df303-9938098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Patient hospitalised at S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Hospital receives visit from pet, Porto, 2 October 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portuguese hospital lets pets visit owners on wards: a new model?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929946-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929946\" data-cid=\"9941309\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929946-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/42\/28\/320x180_cmsv2_6880a15c-75d7-5be8-954f-0f56ebcc7404-9934228.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"ARCHIVE\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Menopause medicine crisis goes beyond Spain<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930173-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930173\" data-cid=\"9942974\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Longevity: why do Poles live shorter than Western Europeans?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2362642-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2362642\" data-cid=\"7870952\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    COVID: Should we fear a new winter wave?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930209-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930209\" data-cid=\"9940711\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Invasive plant spreads across Portugal and lengthens allergy season<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931372-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931372\" data-cid=\"9941147\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pneumonic plague: How it spreads and what is the risk to Europe?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931674-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931674\" data-cid=\"9942629\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Plague fears in Siberia: How are Irkutsk residents reacting?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Plague, one of the deadliest diseases in history, has once again made headlines in recent days following the death of a scientist in Irkutsk, in Siberia. The woman died from pneumonia of unknown origin, which raised suspicions of a possible pneumonic plague infection.However, the Russian authorities have stated that no cases of plague have been confirmed in the region and that tests carried out on the deceased woman\u2019s contacts have come back negative. The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested additional information to clarify what happened and has offered its support to the Russian authorities.Although no cases of routine transmission of this disease have been recorded in Europe for decades, the bacterium that causes it remains present in different parts of the world and continues to cause human infections every year.Does plague currently exist in Spain and Europe?Plague is not currently circulating routinely in Spain or in the rest of Europe. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the disease has been absent from the continent for more than 50 years.This does not mean, however, that the bacterium has been eradicated from the planet. Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a microorganism that lives naturally in certain populations of small mammals, especially rodents, and in the fleas that infest them.The bacterium can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, contact with tissues or body fluids from infected animals and, in the case of pneumonic plague, via respiratory particles from sick people.Therefore, although the current risk for the Spanish and European population is very low, the disease can still appear wherever there are animal reservoirs of the bacterium.Is there a risk of plague in Spain? What the Health Ministry saysSpain has gone decades without registering locally acquired cases of plague, but it maintains active epidemiological surveillance of the disease. In April 2026 the Public Health Commission updated the national protocol, revising case definitions, the epidemiological characteristics of the infection and the information that must be collected in the event of possible infections.This update, which predates the incident in Siberia, adds to the early-warning mechanisms already in place in Spain. For its part, the European Union examined the Russian case on 7 October, although international health authorities are still awaiting information that could clarify the cause of the researcher\u2019s death.Where does plague still occur in the world?According to the WHO, plague remains endemic in several countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Between 2019 and 2025, most of the human cases reported to the organisation were concentrated in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Madagascar, for example, cases of bubonic plague are recorded virtually every year during the epidemic season, which usually runs from September to April.The disease also appears sporadically in regions of Asia and the Americas. In the United States, an average of around seven human cases are reported each year, mainly in rural areas in the west of the country.The persistence of the bacterium in wild animals explains why it is so difficult to eliminate the disease completely, even when human cases are rare.What is the difference between bubonic and pneumonic plague?Plague can present in three main forms: bubonic, pneumonic and septicaemic. Bubonic plague is the most common and usually occurs after the bite of an infected flea. It causes fever, general malaise and painful swelling of the lymph nodes, known as buboes.Pneumonic plague affects the lungs and is particularly dangerous because it can be transmitted from person to person via respiratory particles. Without treatment, it can progress rapidly and prove fatal. Septicaemic plague, meanwhile, occurs when the bacterium multiplies in the bloodstream and can lead to a severe, generalised infection.Unlike what happened during the great epidemics of the past, plague can now be treated with antibiotics. However, early diagnosis is essential to avoid serious complications and reduce the risk of death.What risk does the Siberia case pose for Europe?The suspected case of pneumonic plague in Siberia has prompted European health authorities to monitor the situation closely. The European Commission included the Russian incident on the agenda of its Health Security Committee meeting on 7 October, while the ECDC pointed out that there was no evidence of secondary cases or sustained person-to-person transmission.The WHO has also concluded that the risk to the European region is very low. Although the disease has not been eradicated worldwide, its presence on other continents does not mean that Europe is facing a new epidemic.Epidemiological surveillance, early detection of cases and treatment with antibiotics are crucial tools to prevent its spread. Plague still exists, but today\u2019s health situation is very different from the one that allowed the Black Death to devastate Europe in the 14th century.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/08\/the-disease-that-once-ravaged-europe-still-exists-could-plague-return-to-spain&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/38\/27\/1200x675_cmsv2_fa727fbe-971c-5862-aee3-635d91f1143a-9943827.jpg&#8221;] USA Nicolas Maduro and his wife face new US torture charges Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | October 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening Travel News Best 50 bars in the world have been revealed \u2013 and 18 are in Europe No Comment Heavy autumn snow paralyses roads in Russia\u2019s Far East [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2186207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2186207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2186207"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2186207\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2186207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2186207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2186207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}