The bubonic plague, which killed as many as 50 million people in Europe between 1346 and 1353 and is also known as the Black Death, has come back now. So, should we be worried about it or not? Let’s know about that.
The Bubonic Plague has been back as the health officials in Oregon, US, have confirmed the first case of this plague since 2005. As per reports, the person got the disease from his sick cat. However, the disease was quickly detected, and the person was given antibiotics. All the persons who had contacted him were also tracked down and given the treatment. The cat was also given the treatment, but she has died.
What is the Bubonic Plague?
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This plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria found primarily on small animals and their fleas and can spread between animals and humans. As per WHO, this plague can infect humans in three ways, “unprotected contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated materials” (like being bitten by an infected rat), “the bite of infected vector fleas,” and “the inhalation of respiratory droplets/small particles from a patient with the pneumonic plague.”
Symptoms of Bubonic Plague
When bacteria gets into the lymph nodes, it is known as the Bubonic plague, and it can cause fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, weakness, and pain, and usually happens from the bite of an infected flea.
When the bacteria enter the bloodstream, this is known as a septicemic plague. This usually follows the bubonic plague and has more severe symptoms, including abdominal pain, bleeding into the skin, shock, and blackening of appendages, most often fingers, toes, or the nose.
One of the most dangerous and deadly plagues is pneumonic plague, which occurs when bacteria enter the lungs. It is the only plague that can spread from human to human by inhaling infectious droplets.
What was the impact of the Black Plague?
This plague, also known as the black death, was one of the most deadly diseases of the 14 century, which wiped out almost half of the population of Europe. Not only this, it has left a very huge impact on the people who survived this black death. Studies found out that the people who had survived the black death have passed it to their generations, and the thing that happened around 700 years ago might affect your health today.
Should We Worried About the Bubonic Plague 2024?
No, for now, experts said there is nothing to worry about as they are not expecting this disease to spread or cause any deaths. Today, we have more potent anti-biotics, better hygiene, and more understanding of this disease.
The plague had become a thing of the past by the 1930s, and as per some reports, a couple of thousand cases of this plague have been reported worldwide every year with a Fatality rate of around 11 percent. These cases are primarily reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Peru.
Further, the CDC said that now all types of plagues can be easily treated with standard antibiotics, and if treated in the initial stage, there are more chances of survival. However, experts say that Y pestis can occur in any part of the world and can be fatal, but there is no chance of a pandemic like the Black Death.
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