After a case of bubonic plague was confirmed in Oregon earlier this week, some people may be wondering if they’re at risk. spread of disease in the united states
The Oregon man is the first infected person since 2015 and reportedly contracted the virus from his pet cat, state health officials said.
Experts shared with Fox News Digital what people need to know about the incident. Infection — including how to recognize symptoms, seek treatment, and prevent infection in the first place.
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What is bubonic plague?
Bubonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria The bacterium was likely first introduced to North America around 1900 by rats aboard ships from South Asia, said Timothy Brewer, M.D., a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). .
Since its outbreak 120 years ago, bubonic plague has become endemic in ground squirrels and rodents in rural areas of the southwestern United States. (St. Petersburg)
“Since their introduction 120 years ago, they have become endemic for ground squirrels and rodents in the rural southwestern United States,” he told Fox News Digital.
The plague was recently discovered in Oregon, but most cases are in the Southwest “Four Corners” region (southwestern Colorado, southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, and New Mexico). It occurs mainly in the northwestern part of the state. spring and early autumn.
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Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, a senior researcher at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, Maryland, said that while the Oregon case is a rare event, it is important to recognize that plague is endemic in the western United States. said it was important.state and about it Pets may be exposed Through rodents and other animals.
“But this is not something the public should worry too much about,” he also told FOX News Digital.
Early symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, headache, weakness, and characteristically painful and swollen lymph nodes. (St. Petersburg)
The disease can affect people of all ages, but half of the cases affect people between the ages of 12 and 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Worldwide, between 1,000 and 2,000 cases of plague are reported to the World Health Organization each year, but the United States reports an average of only seven cases of plague each year.
Spread and symptoms
Brewer said Yersinia is typically transmitted in one of three ways.
“These include being bitten by an infected flea, handling an infected animal (such as skinning a ground squirrel), or breathing in dust contaminated with bacteria-laden dried rodent urine or feces. “This includes,” he said.
An infectious disease expert said people living in plague-prone areas of the United States should be aware that their dogs may encounter prairie dogs and other animals that can be infected with plague. (St. Petersburg)
Erica Susky, Certified Infection Control Practitioner in canadaAccording to , symptoms typically develop two to eight days after initial exposure to the bacteria.
“It starts with fever, chills, headache, weakness, and characteristically painful and swollen lymph nodes called buboes,” she told Fox News Digital. “Buboes occur at the site of an infected rodent or flea bite.”
If you have these symptoms, please see a doctor immediately medical care Susky advises if you’ve been exposed to animals, usually rodents or fleas.
“The best way to avoid this disease is to avoid rodents in the rural and semirural arid regions of the western United States.”
“Bubonic plague is a serious infection on its own, but it can quickly develop into the more severe and deadly plague,” she warned.
“More serious forms include pneumonic plague and septicemic plague, where the bacteria invades the lungs and bloodstream,” Susky said.
With pneumonic plague, patients experience cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, which can eventually lead to symptoms such as: respiratory failureshock and death.
Septicemic plague causes shock and often death.
The Oregon man is the first infected person since 2015, and was reportedly infected by his pet cat (not pictured), state health officials said. (St. Petersburg)
Adalja said the first obvious symptom of plague is severe swelling of the lymph nodes.
“The danger is if the bacteria spreads from the involved lymph nodes throughout the body,” he warned. “It is important to see a doctor to prevent the spread of infection.”
Treatment and prevention
Plague can be life-threatening if left untreated, Brewer said.But if diagnosed at the right time, it can be effectively treated used antibioticstypically gentamicin or a fluoroquinolone.
For patients with pneumonic plague, the CDC recommends starting antibiotics within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Plague can be life-threatening if left untreated, but if diagnosed in a timely manner, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics. (St. Petersburg)
“The best way to avoid this disease is to avoid rodents in the rural and semi-rural arid regions of the western United States,” Brewer advised.
“Be cautious of cleaning rodent nests, ventilating seasonally closed sheds, and other activities that may kick up contaminated dust and inhale it.”
Adalja said people living in plague-prone areas of the United States should be aware that their dogs may encounter animals that can cause plague, such as prairie dogs.
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“Keeping them on a leash in areas where other animals may be present is something individuals can do as a precaution.” [transmission],” He said.
Brewer recommends keeping your cat indoors to avoid introducing infected fleas, and using a flea treatment for cats and dogs.
Bubonic plague smear showing the presence of Yersinia pestis, 1965. Bipolar staining of plague smears prepared from lymph aspirated from adenogenic lymph nodes, or buboes, of plague patients. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
“The plague is a dramatic disease, but it’s a relatively rare disease,” Brewer said.
“In the southwestern United States, common sense avoiding rodents and keeping them away from pets and habitat should be sufficient prevention for most people.”
Sasky agreed, adding: “Although plague is a serious infectious disease, it is less of a concern because many people are much more likely to catch it from other diseases.” bacteria and viruses. ”
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“However, it is still important to pay attention to areas where plague outbreaks can occur in large numbers, namely the western United States.”
There is currently no vaccine available for bubonic plague.
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