What is
plague?
Plague is a disease caused by bacteria found in
rodents and their fleas. There are three types of
plague: bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and
pneumonic plague. All three types are caused by
the same bacteria, but the modes of transmission
and body parts infected are different.
How common
is plague?
The World Health Organization reports 1,000 to
3,000 cases of plague worldwide each year. An
average of 5 to 15 cases occurs each year in the
western United States, usually in rural to
semi-rural areas.
How is
plague spread?
Bubonic plague is spread as a result of a bite
from an infected flea or exposure to infected
material through a break in the skin. The bacteria
travel through the lymphatic system to the nearest
lymph nodes. The nodes become inflamed and are
called buboes.
Pneumonic plague is an infection of the lungs
that occurs when a person breathes infected
particles in the air. When an infected person
coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets are spread
through the air, usually within about 6 feet.
Septicemic plague occurs when the infection
spreads through the bloodstream and causes blood
poisoning. If bubonic or pneumonic plagues are
left untreated, the bacteria could spread into the
bloodstream and cause septicemic plague.
What are
the symptoms of plague?
Symptoms of bubonic plague include a swollen,
very tender lymph gland (called a bubo), fever,
chills, headache, and extreme exhaustion.
A person exposed to the bacteria through the
air would become ill within 1 to 6 days of
exposure. Symptoms of pneumonic plague include
fever, weakness, and rapidly developing pneumonia
with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and
sometimes bloody or watery sputum. Nausea,
vomiting, and abdominal pain may also occur.
What is the
treatment for plague?
Antibiotics should be given within 24 hours of
the first symptoms in order to prevent a high risk
of death.
Are there
complications from plague?
If left untreated, death from all types of the
plague is very likely. Before antibiotic treatment
was available, nearly 100% of cases were reported
to be fatal.
How can
plague be prevented?
There is currently no vaccine available to
prevent plague. People having direct and close
contact with someone with pneumonic plague should
wear tightly fitting surgical masks. Patients with
pneumonic plague should be isolated and medically
supervised for at least the first 48 hours of
antibiotic treatment.
People who have had close contact with an
infected person can greatly reduce the chance of
becoming sick if they begin an antibiotic within 7
days of their exposure. The round of antibiotics
usually lasts 7 days.
To prevent bubonic plague, reduce the
likelihood of being bitten by infected fleas or
having direct contact with infected tissues.
Can plague
be used as a bio-weapon?
If used as a weapon, the bacteria would be made
airborne for exposure by inhalation. People who
inhale the bacteria would develop pneumonic plague
within 1 to 6 days of exposure. Also, people who
are in contact with those infected would be at
risk, even if not exposed directly to the initial
attack.
How do I
get more information on plague?
Other Category A disease agents
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