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Scientists have outlined a "predictive map" of places in the U.S. that show "concentrated amounts" of plague. This centuries-old disease lingers on, and the western part of the US has among the largest concentrations of animals that transport it, according to a study publish by PLOS.

The SUNY Downstate Medical Center studied areas where animals get exposed to plague.

"This study used surveillance data of plague in wild and domestic animals in the American West to identify and map those areas with the greatest potential for human exposure to this infection, which can be particularly deadly when transmitted to humans," said Michael Walsh, the author of the study.

The research is illuminating and would inform the general public about the illness.

"The findings can be used by public health agencies to target specific areas for enhanced plague surveillance within areas and counties predicted to be at high risk, as well as by other research teams to direct the sampling of local wildlife populations for the identification of Yersinia pestis (plague) in wild animals that find themselves in close proximity to humans and human developed landscapes," Walsh said.