The CDC released new recommendations July 16 for healthcare providers on treating the plague, which is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
Four things to know:
1. The guidelines offer best practices for the treatment and prophylaxis of human plague, whether naturally occurring or after a bioterrorism attack.
"A bioweapon attack with Y. pestis could potentially infect thousands, requiring rapid and informed decision making by clinicians and public health agencies," the CDC said.
2. The resource also includes recommendations for infection control and prevention.
3. The 21st Century Cures Act mandated the development of evidence-based guidelines for medical countermeasures to a bioterrorism attack.
4. Treatment guidelines for the plague were first published in 2000. The new recommendations represent a comprehensive set of updated guidelines that reflect new research and FDA approvals.
To view the CDC's full recommendations, click here.