This Is Why We Shouldn’t Be Panicked by New Bubonic Plague Cases
Reports of new bubonic plague infection are creating panic among people around the world, but we don’t need to be too worried about it.
Bubonic plague is the disease that triggered “Black Death” — the deadliest pandemic in human civilization — makes people scared from the history books. In mid-1300s, around 60 percent of the population in Europe were killed by this disease. Recently, a few new cases of this plague have been reported in China and the United States. Amid COVID-19 pandemic, which is sparking a new paranoia among the common people.
According to Chinese Health ministry, last month 15-year-old boy has died of bubonic plague in western Mongolia after eating an infected marmot. The plague was also detected on July 5 in a herdsman’s body in the northern city of Byannur, Inner Mongolia, China. As a precautionary measure, Mongolia’s health authorities have issued a third-level alert urging people to refrain from hunting or eating animals that could carry the disease.
This plague involves severe inflammation of the lymphatic system, which causes painful swelling of the lymph node, which is called the buboes, and hence the name of the disease is bubonic plague.
Meanwhile, on August 17, a resident of California tested positive for the plague. Over the last 5 years, no further cases of plague have been reported in this state. According to the statement of El Dorado County Department of Health and Human Services, the individual may have been bitten by an infected flea. Furthermore, while looking for the cause of the unexplained death of dozens of animals, the Colorado Health Department detected the plague positive in a dead squirrel.
Such reports are being publicized through numerous news agencies and social media, increasing panic in people’s minds. Many people are worried that the plague outbreak may arise again within the COVID-19 pandemic. However, researchers have ruled out such a possibility.
Causes of the disease
Bubonic plague is one of the three plagues caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium. This plague involves severe inflammation of the lymphatic system, which causes painful swelling of the lymph node, which is called the buboes, and hence the name of the disease is bubonic plague.
Of the other two types, one is called septicemic plague in which bacteria spread in the blood, and the other is known as pneumonic plague, which infects the lungs and induces pneumonia.
This disease usually affects wild rodents, such as marmots, squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, etc. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that humans can also get sick with this plague via flea bites or contact with tissue or body fluid from the infected animal.
In general, the following symptoms may appear within two to five days of the bacterial infection.
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Bleeding
- Headache
- Bubo ( swollen lymph node)
We don’t need to be panicked
Although currently very rare, the plague is occasionally found in Asia, South America, Africa, and some United States provinces. The CDC states that every year, a couple of human plague cases are detected in the US, exclusively in the rural West. Currently, the estimated number of plague cases reported globally is no more than a few hundred per year, says Michael Head, a senior researcher at the University of Southampton in the UK.
Even though the mortality rate of this disease is about 60% if not treated in time, there is no reason to panic. Because this disease is treatable with commonly available antibiotics like gentamicin and streptomycin. According to the CDC, antibiotics can decrease the mortality rate by up to 11 percent. However, if antibiotics can be given within 24 hours of having symptoms, then it works best.
Another fact of relief is that the bacteria can not survive in sunlight for a long time. Depending on the environmental condition, it can endure up to 1 hour of sunlight. Apart from the pneumonic form of this plague, human to human transmission of the other two forms is very limited.
Despite having antibiotics, many may wonder if the Y. pestis bacterium has acquired antibiotic resistance. According to Malcolm Bennett — a professor at the University of Nottingham — while it is theoretically possible, there is no evidence that this bacteria is becoming resistant to antibiotics. This bacteria is not yet on the list of top potential antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
In comparison to COVID-19, we have appropriate treatment for the bubonic plague. In fact, the disease is comparatively rare, with some cases found in many parts of the world every year. So you may now be assured that there is no chance of such a devastating pandemic as in the 14th century from this disease. And even if it does, we have enough resources and knowledge to keep that from happening.
While several cases of this plague are found in different parts of the world every year, any virus or bacteria-related news is catching people’s attention very quickly this year — as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. People living in areas where the plague is prevalent should avoid contact with wild animals, particularly rodents, comply with the appropriate authorities’ orders and seek medical attention within 24 hours if any signs of the disease occur. And, of course, before we share any social media content, we should check its credibility.
