Moneycontrol News | February 19, 2024 | Images: Canva
A resident of central Oregon, US, was detected with bubonic plague last week. Health officials said he could have contracted the disease from a sick pet cat. While the patient has recovered, and officials say it's not going to spread, the cat did not survive
Here are a few things to know about the plague. It is an infectious disease that can affect mammals and is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is carried by rodents and fleas
Sunlight and drying can kill plague bacteria on surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suspected patients of plague can be treated with antibiotics
Bubonic plague happens when the bacteria gets into the lymph nodes. It can cause fever, headache, weakness and swollen lymph nodes. It is usually caused by an infected flea
Septicemic plague symptoms happen if the bacteria gets into the bloodstream. It causes the same symptoms, plus abdominal pain, shock and sometimes bleeding into the skin and blackened fingers, toes or the nose
Pneumonic plague, the most serious form, occurs when the bacteria gets into the lungs. It is the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person by inhaling infectious droplets
All forms of plague are treatable with common antibiotics, and people who seek treatment early have a better chance of a full recovery, according to the CDC
You can reduce the risk of plague by keeping your homes and outdoor living areas less inviting for rodents by clearing brush and junk piles and keeping pet food inaccessible
Though plague remains a serious illness, antibiotic and supportive therapy is effective for even the most dangerous pneumonic form when patients are treated in time, according to the World Health Organization