By Nishatur Ahmed Edited by Glenn T. Johnston The plague, often associated with the devastating Black Death that killed millions in Europe during the 1300s, is a serious bacterial illness that persists today, though it no longer poses the global threat it once did. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis , it is primarily transmitted through fleas that bite infected rodents, particularly rats, and can spread rapidly in humans, becoming deadly if untreated. While a handful of

By Nathan Foster Edited by Glenn T Johnston   If you think syphilis is a relic of dusty history books, think again. This centuries-old infection, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, is quietly climbing back into American cities, including Baltimore. And while it starts small, often with a painless sore most people never even notice, untreated syphilis can unfold into a years-long health crisis. In its early stages, the infection might show up as a faint rash or swolle

By Meagan Nwalozie Edited by Glenn T Johnston Yellow Fever Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus and transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is a serious illness caused by a virus that attacks the body's blood vessels and organs. In plain terms, this virus make tiny blood vessels leaky, disrupt blood's ability to clot properly, and damage multiple organs at once—like the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Originating in Africa, the

By Jacob Manley Edited by Glenn T. Johnston Michael Noble was a pig farmer in South Africa. He followed in the footsteps of several generations before him, keeping a small drove of pigs to support his family. One day, he noticed some of his pigs were acting lazier than usual and refused to eat. Thinking little of this, Michael carried on and continued to take care of his pigs as usual. Over the next several days, more of his drove began to behave the same way, and the first p

By Asha Martin Edited by G. Johnston Anthrax may sound like something from a history book, but it’s still a real concern today. This article explores how Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) emerged, how it affects the human body, and why it remains a concern. Even more importantly, it looks at what an anthrax incident would mean for Baltimore and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region. By understanding its origins, its impact, and its potential to spread, we can see why anthrax still m