Bubonic Plague Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and Outlook (2024-2031)

Report Overview

The global bubonic plague market reached US$ XX million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ XX million by 2031 growing with a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Plague is a deadly disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is still an international public health concern. There are three main clinical forms: bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and pulmonary plague.

The bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, is a serious bacterial infection caused by an infected flea or insect bite. The bacterial infection involved is Yersinia pestis. It is typically transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that live on rodents and other small mammals.

Bubonic plague, the most common form, is characterized by swollen and tender lymph nodes (called "buboes") in the groin, neck, or armpit. In septicemic plague, plague bacteria infect the bloodstream, causing high fever, fatigue, weakness, and bleeding disorders. Skin and other tissues, particularly on the fingers, toes, and/or nose, may turn black and die.

This bacterial infection enters the lymphatic system and lymph nodes which gets inflamed and is painful.  The inflamed portion is called the bubo that’s why the plague is known as bubonic plague. The advanced stage of the plague is that the lymph nodes may become open sores which are filled with pus and the infection can spread to the lungs. Transmission from one human to another is rare and sometimes the rodent who is bitten by the flea gets infected and then can spread to the human body.

Market Scope

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Market Dynamics: Drivers

Increase in prevalence and incidence of bubonic plague 

The demand for the global bubonic plague market is driven by multiple factors. The increasing prevalence and incidence of bubonic plague is a major driver for the growth of the global bubonic plague market.

According to the CDC data in May 2024, over 80% of U.S. plague cases have been the bubonic form. In recent decades, an average of seven human plague cases have been reported each year Plague has occurred in people of all ages (infants up to age 96), though 50% of cases occur in people ages 12–45. 

It occurs in both men and women, though historically is slightly more common among men, probably because of increased outdoor activities that put them at higher risk. According to an NCBI research publication in September 2021, bubonic plague is usually transmitted by fleas, and accounts for 80–95% of all cases, with a case-fatality rate of 10–20%. From the same source, Doxycycline is currently the drug of choice for people who are at risk of developing bubonic plague.

Moreover, key players in the industry more focus on research & development and the rising number of clinical trials that would propel this market growth. For instance,  in July 2021, Researchers at the University of Oxford launched a Phase 1 trial to test a new vaccine against plague.

Restraints

Factors such as antibiotic resistance, limited treatment options, lack of awareness, stringent regulatory approvals, and complications associated with the treatment, are expected to hamper the market.

Market Segment Analysis

The global bubonic plague market is segmented based on treatment, route of administration, end-user, and region.

The antibiotics segment accounted for approximately 67.4% of the global bubonic plague market share

The antibiotics segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. The bubonic plague can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Antibiotics and supportive therapy are effective against plague if patients are diagnosed in time. Antibiotics that treat bubonic plague include Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, Gentamicin, and Doxycycline.

Levofloxacin (Levaquin) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that has been approved for the treatment and prophylaxis of plague, including bubonic plague,  pneumonic and septicemic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis in adults and pediatric patients, aged 6 months or older.

Levofloxacin works by inhibiting bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase, which are essential enzymes for bacterial DNA replication and transcription. This action makes it effective against a range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Yersinia pestis.

Moreover, major players in the industry more focus on drug development for the bubonic plague which would propel this segment's growth in the market. As per an NCBI research publication in May 2021, two comparative clinical studies have been published, one compared sulfonamide drugs with streptomycin in bubonic plaque, and the other compared streptomycin with gentamicin (alone or combined with tetracycline) in all three main clinical forms of plague.

Market Geographical Share

North America accounted for approximately 45.4% of the global bubonic plague market share

North America region is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period owing to the rising prevalence and incidence of the disease. Although the number of cases is relatively low, with about 1-17 cases reported annually in the United States, nearly 80% of the population in the U.S. was affected plague. An average of seven human plague cases are reported each year in the United States. Plague occurs in the western U.S., with most cases in northern New Mexico and Arizona.

Moreover, in this region, the rising adoption of companion animals propels this market growth. For instance, in February 2024, a man in Oregon in the U.S. caught the bubonic plague from his pet cat. In March 2024, health officials in Lincoln County, New Mexico, announced a man had died of the disease. It is not something that comes as an enormous surprise to evolutionary geneticist Paul Norman, studies bubonic plague at the University of Colorado, Anschutz.

North America has a high level of healthcare expenditure, which supports the bubonic plague market. With significant investments in public health and infectious disease management, there is a robust infrastructure for responding to plague outbreaks. 

This includes funding for research and development of effective treatments and vaccines. For instance, in July 2024, Public health officials in Pueblo County, Colorado, announced that a human case of the plague had been confirmed. The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) is working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to investigate bubonic plague.

Market Segmentation

By Treatment

• Antibiotics
  • Levofloxacin
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Ciprofloxacin 
  • Others
• Vaccines
  • J07AK01
  •  Inactivated Vaccines
  • Whole-cell Vaccines

By Route of Administration

• Oral
• Parenteral
• Others

By End-User

• Hospitals & Specialty Clinics
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • The rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Market Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the bubonic plague market include Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Pharmaoffer, Pfizer Inc., Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc., DEVLIFE CORPORATION PRIVATE LIMITED, Aden Healthcare, Jabs Biotech Pvt. Ltd., AtomPharma, Anant Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., and NIKSAN PHARMACEUTICAL among others.

Key Developments

• In June 2024, As per Medspace eMedicine, the FDA approved levofloxacin and moxifloxacin for the treatment of plague. These also have been approved for use as prophylaxis following exposure to Yersinia pestis. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has been used to treat bubonic plague; however, it is not considered first-line therapy.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global bubonic plague market segmentation based on treatment, route of administration, end-user, and region and understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development. 
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of the bubonic plague market with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping is available in Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global bubonic plague market report would provide approximately 62 tables, 59 figures, and 183 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies