Viveka Vadyvaloo

Viveka Vadyvaloo, a plague researcher and director of the Allen School for Global Health, discusses the surprising persistence of bubonic plague today. She explains how Yersinia pestis established itself in rodent populations worldwide and how humans can become incidental hosts through flea bites. Vadyvaloo highlights the contrasts in treatment accessibility, with wealthier regions benefiting from antibiotics while poorer areas face greater burdens. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding flea biology and potential management strategies in light of climate factors influencing outbreaks.