Bubonic plague, a disease infamous for its devastating impact on 14th-century Europe during the Black Death, has made a startling reappearance in the modern world. Recently, Oregon in the United States reported its first human case of bubonic plague in over eight years. Health officials suspect that the transmission occurred through a symptomatic pet cat. This incident highlights the importance of understanding the nature of the disease and taking necessary precautions to prevent its spread.
Bubonic plague is a severe infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is primarily carried by wild rodents, such as squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and their fleas. When an infected rodent succumbs to the illness, its fleas can transmit the disease to other animals or humans through bites. The bacterium then multiplies in the lymph nodes, causing inflammation and swelling.
Opill: Pioneering Over the Counter Birth Control Pill Available on The Store
The Black Death, a devastating pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century, was primarily caused by bubonic plague. It is estimated to have killed between 75 and 200 million people, wiping out a significant portion of the European population. The disease spread rapidly through fleas carried by rats, which infested ships and cities. The impact of the Black Death on society, economy, and culture was profound and long-lasting.
Symptoms of bubonic plague typically manifest within two to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea bite. The most common symptom is the sudden onset of a high fever. Other symptoms may include nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and visibly swollen lymph nodes called buboes.
The disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected flea or through direct contact with an animal sick with the disease. It is crucial to note that human-to-human transmission is rare, but it can occur in cases of pneumonic plague, a more severe form of the disease.
Bubonic plague is considered rare in the United States and other developed countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is an annual average of 5 to 15 cases in the western United States, where the disease is typically found in rural to semi-rural areas with prevalent wild rodent populations.
While the United States sees an average of around seven human plague cases annually, the hotspot remains concentrated in the rural West, particularly in states such as northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon, and western Nevada.
Oregon recently reported its first human case of bubonic plague in over eight years. The infected individual, a resident of Deschutes County, is believed to have contracted the disease from their symptomatic pet cat. The prompt medical attention received by both the resident and the pet minimized the risk of further transmission within the community.
Walgreens and the Abortion Pill: A New Chapter in Women’s Health
This incident marks Oregon’s first case of plague since 2015 when a teenage girl contracted the disease from a flea bite. It is important to note that Oregon has reported only nine human cases since 1995, with no fatalities, making the disease exceedingly rare in the region.
To prevent the spread of bubonic plague, the Deschutes County Health Services has provided the following tips:
- Avoid all contact with rodents and their fleas. Never touch sick, injured, or dead rodents.
- Keep pets on a leash when outdoors and protect them with flea control products. Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or explore rodent burrows.
- Pet cats are highly susceptible to plague, and infected cats can transmit the bacterium to humans. If possible, discourage their hunting of rodents. Consult a veterinarian immediately if your cat becomes sick after being in contact with rodents.
- Keep wild rodents out of homes and remove food, woodpiles, and other attractants for rodents around homes and outbuildings.
- Refrain from camping, sleeping, or resting near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
- Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks, or other wild rodents in campgrounds and picnic areas. Store food and refuse in rodent-proof containers.
- Wear long pants tucked into boot tops to reduce exposure to fleas. Apply insect repellent to socks and trouser cuffs to help reduce exposure to fleas.
