I would assume that the vectors for the disease (rats and fleas) carrying the disease are mostly common around those areas where the disease has been reported. Sure, rats and fleas are probably present in many other locations too, but either not in direct contact with humans or not carrying the disease. There is also a slim chance of spreading the disease between sick individuals, maybe this could have also strengthen the pattern seen.
But you certainly know that plague can successfully be treated (streptomycin, tetracylin and further antibiotics). Some resistance to streptomycin iis now observed in Madagascar.