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How did the plague in Athens affect the Peloponnesian War?

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The Parthenon stands atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece, surrounded by ancient stone walls and ruins, with city buildings and a distant hill in the background. — ancient Greek civilization The Acropolis, Athens.

The plague that struck Athens in 430 BCE, during the second year of the Peloponnesian War, had a devastating impact on the city's military and political stability.12

The epidemic, which thrived in the overcrowded city due to Pericles's defensive strategy of housing the rural population within the city walls, resulted in the following consequences:

Loss of Life: The plague claimed approximately one-quarter to one-third of the city's population, including a significant portion of its hoplites and cavalry.314
Leadership Crisis: Pericles himself contracted the disease and died in 429 BCE. His death removed the primary architect of Athens' initial war strategy, leading to political instability and a decline in morale.1432
Military and Social Strain: The massive loss of manpower and the general discomfort caused by the plague weakened the Athenian war effort, leading to public dissatisfaction that resulted in Pericles being briefly deposed and fined before his death.32

While the plague caused severe internal turmoil, Athens continued its military operations, though the loss of life and leadership significantly altered the trajectory of the conflict.12