PLAGUE
The Black Death
Plague is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis and transmitted to animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas that have fed on infected rodents, or through direct contact, inhalation and rarely, ingestion of infective materials.
FACTS
• There is no commercially available vaccine against plague.
• Plague can be a very severe disease in people, with a case-fatality ratio of 30%-60% if left untreated.
• It was known as the "Black Death" during the fourteenth century, causing an estimated 50 million deaths.
• Plague epidemics have occurred in Africa, Asia, and South America but since the 1990s, most human cases have occurred in Africa.
• In 2013 there were 783 cases reported worldwide, including 126 deaths
• The 3 most endemic countries are Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
People infected with plague usually develop “flu-like” symptoms after an incubation period of 3-7 days. Typical symptoms are the sudden onset of fever, chills, head and body-aches and weakness, vomiting and nausea.
TRANSMISSION
• Droplet contact: Coughing or sneezing on another person.
• Direct physical contact: Touching an infected person.
• Indirect contact: Touching any contaminated surface.
• Airborne transmission: If microorganism is in the air for too long.
• Fecal-oral transmission: Contaminated food or water sources.
• Vector borne transmission: Carried by insects or animals.
PREVENTION
• Rodent-proof your home. Remove potential nesting areas.
• Don't leave pet food in areas that rodents can easily access.
• Wear gloves if you are handling infected animals.
• Contact the local municipality if you have questions about disposal of dead animals.
• Keep your pets free of fleas.
• Use insect repellent.
• Closely supervise your children and pets.
TYPES OF PLAGUE
Bubonic Plague
Is the most common form of plague and is caused by the bite of an infected flea.
Plague bacillus: Pestis, enters at the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph which becomes inflamed, tense and painful, and is called a "bubo".
Headache
Muscle aches
Fatigue or malaise
Sudden onset of fever and chills
Septicemic Plague
This form occurs when plague bacteria multiply in bloodstream.
It results from bites of infected fleas, handling an infected animal or from direct contact with infective materials.
Shock
Fever and chills
Extreme weakness
Mouth, nose or rectum bleeding
Abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
Blackening and death of tissue (gangrene) in fingers, toes & nose
Pneumonic Plague
It is the most dangerous variety of plague and the least common.
It is the only form of disease that can be spread from person to person via cough droplets since it affects the lungs.
Pneumonic plague progresses within few hours after infection
The infection is likely to be fatal if antibiotic treatment isn't initiated within a day after signs and symptoms first appear.
Weakness
High fever
Difficulty breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Cough, with bloody sputum
TREATMENT
Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for survival and reduction of complications. Antibiotics are effective if administrated on time.
• Gentamicin
• Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Sources: Mayoclinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Medicinenet
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