"Unveiling the Secrets of the Plague Pathogen: New Discoveries by Scientists"

Researchers from Kiel University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology have identified a new genetic element, known as the YpfΦ prophage, that Yersinia pestis acquired between the Middle Ages and the modern pandemic. This genetic element is linked to the virulence of the pathogen, enhancing our understanding of the emergence of the modern plague pandemic in the 19th century. The study also highlights the potential dangers of the plague, including its rapid evolution and resistance to antibiotics, and emphasizes the importance of studying historical disease evolution to prevent future pandemics.