The present disclosure relates to compositions, methods, systems and kits for the detection of microorganisms of the Yersinia species including Yersinia pestis. The disclosure relates to recombinant phage operable to infect a Yersinia microorganism, the phage comprising a detectable reporter. Detection systems of the disclosure may comprise a phage operable to infect a Yersinia microorganism, and may comprise a reporter nucleic acid expressible upon infection of a Yersinia microorganism by the phage. The system may be operable to detect the expression of the reporter. A detectable reporter may comprise any gene having bioluminescent, colorimetric and/or visual detectability. For example, a detectable reporter may comprise one or more luxAB genes detectable by emission, enhancement and/or change in spectrum of bioluminescent light. Live and infectious Yersinia microbes may be detected by the compositions, methods, systems and kits described herein.