What is bubonic plague/Black death?
A recent suspected case of bubonic plague has been notified to Chinese authorities. But China has been on alert for this.
Plague is one of the deadliest diseases in human history, but it can now be easily treated with antibiotics.
What is the bubonic plague?
Plague is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis that live in some animals mainly rodents and their fleas. The disease is transmitted between animals via their fleas. Humans can be contaminated by the bite of infected fleas, through direct contact with infected materials, or by inhalation.
Historically, it has also been called the Black Death, about the gangrenous blackening and death of body parts, such as the fingers and toes that can happen with the illness. It caused over 50 million deaths in Europe during the fourteenth century.
Plague is found on all continents except Oceania but most human cases since the 1990s have occurred in Africa. Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Peru are the three most endemic countries.
Incubation period and Symptoms?
It has a 3 - 7 days incubation period. Symptoms include fever, chills, aches, weakness, vomiting, and nausea.
The case-fatality ratio of 30%-100% if left untreated.
How can you catch it?
Humans can catch it from:
1. Bites of infected fleas.
2. Touching infected animals such as rats and mice.
3. Inhaling infected respiratory droplets spread by infected people or animals.
Domestic cats and dogs can become infected from flea bites or from eating infected rodents.
The body of someone who has died after being infected with plague can infect people who are in close contacts, such as those who are preparing the body for burial.
Is there a treatment or a cure for it?
Untreated plague can be rapidly fatal, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential for survival and to reduce complications.
Prompt treatment with antibiotics is vital. The disease is often lethal if left.
Early diagnosis, using laboratory tests on blood and other body samples can save lives.
WHO does not recommend vaccination except for high-risk people such as laboratory personnel and health care workers.
