Bubonic Plague

You might hear that China’s Inner Mongolia issued a warning of Bubonic Plague. So far, two people have been diagnosed. And some people who are directly in contact with them are quarantine. It is the same disease caused by the Black Death in Europe in the 14th century, which killed at least a quarter of the population.

Plague is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis, it naturally infects rodents. In some countries, it is endemic in ground squirrels. Which means it is always present in ground squirrels. People can get infected if they are bitten by a flea that’s also bitten an infected animal. It mostly occurs in areas where people are in close contact with wildlife.

There are 3 types of plague

The most common is called “Bubonic plague”. This is when the bacteria travel from a flea bite to your lymph nodes. It causes flu-like symptoms and it turns lymph nodes into painful, swollen balloons called buboes, which can grow to the size of chicken eggs.

The second form is called “Septicemic plague“. This is when the bacteria get into the bloodstream from a flea bite. It can cause extreme weakness, chills, and abdominal pain, and skin on the tip of fingers, toes, or nose might turn black with gangrene and die.

Not bubonic nor septicemic plague can transfer person to person.

But if the disease is untreated the bacteria can spread the disease to lungs causing “Pneumonic plague”. This is the deadest form of infection and can spread by coughing on other individuals. 

According to the CDC, the bacteria can survive in the air for about an hour. Eventually, it can lead to respiratory failure and shock

Today it is highly treated by antibiotics. 

Prevention

1. Reduce rodent habitat around your home, work place, and recreational areas. Remove brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood, and possible rodent food supplies, such as pet and wild animal food. Make your home and outbuildings rodent-proof.
2. Wear gloves if you are handling or skinning potentially infected animals to prevent contact between your skin and the plague bacteria. Contact your local health department if you have questions about disposal of dead animals.
3. Use repellent if you think you could be exposed to rodent fleas during activities such as camping, hiking, or working outdoors. Products containing DEET can be applied to the skin as well as clothing and products containing permethrin can be applied to clothing (always follow instructions on the label).
4. Keep fleas off of your pets by applying flea control products. Animals that roam freely are more likely to come in contact with plague infected animals or fleas and could bring them into homes. If your pet becomes sick, seek care from a veterinarian as soon as possible.
5. Do not allow dogs or cats that roam free in endemic areas to sleep on your bed.

Further Reading:

https://www.cdc.gov/plague/index.html

References: 

https://www.cdc.gov/plague/index.html

Photo credit:

https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Yersinia_pestis

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/is-the-bubonic-plague-making-a-comeback

https://www.cdc.gov/plague/index.html