The bubonic plague is a contagious illness that makes your lymph nodes swell up and hurt. It killed over 25 million individuals in the 1300s. Even today, it still happens in many places around the world.
The plague is caused by a bacteria known as Yersinia pestis. These bacteria live in small animals and fleas such bite them.
What is bubonic plague?
It is a type of plague, which is a disease caused by bacteria. It is also known as Black death. It’s the most frequent type of plague. The name comes from the swelling of lymph nodes, known “buboes,” that appear because of the disease.
Animals other than humans can carry the infection that led to bubonic plague and spread it to people. Nowadays, the infection is rare because of better medicines and living conditions like antibiotics. But it still presents in many areas on the earth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 7 human episodes of plague in the U.S. each year, mostly in rural places.
History
The bacteria responsible for bubonic plague have existed for many centuries.
In the year 1347, ships taking rats infected alongside plague reached Sicily. At that point, the plague rapidly affects Europe. Between 1347 and 1352, around 25 million individuals died because of it. This was about one-third of Europe’s population at that time.
Bubonic plague outbreaks continued for the next four centuries. In 1656-1657, 2/3rds of the people of Naples and Genoa died from the disease.
In London, between 1665-1666, about 100,000 individuals become fatal due to bubonic plague. Similarly, Vienna saw 100,000 deaths in 1679, and Russia had another 100,000 deaths between 1770-1771 from the same disease.
The WHO reports that overall, bubonic plague caused greater than 50 million deaths in Europe. During the 1300s, individuals called this devastating disease as “Black Death.”
Is Bubonic Plague Still Present Today?
Bubonic plague still presents today. According to the World Health Organization, plague is found on every continent except Oceania. Since 1990, several human cases of plague have been reported in the Africa.
The countries where this infection happens most frequently are Peru, Madagascar, and Congo. Madagascar reports cases of plague almost each year, mainly while the outbreak season from September to April.
In the United States, recent episodes of this infection, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have primarily affected individuals living in villages, small towns, or agricultural places. The CDC identifies the most common regions for plague cases in the U.S. as southern Colorado, southern Oregon, California, northern northern Arizona, New Mexico, and western Nevada.
Furthermore, the CDC reports that over 80 out of 100 people plague cases diagnosed in the U.S.
Symptoms
Bubonic plague symptoms typically appear 2 to 8 days post transmission. Once the bacteria enter the body, they run through the lymphoid system to the nearest lymph node. Internal side of the lymph node, the bacteria multiply, causing it to swell and become painful and sensitive.
In more severe cases of this plague, the swollen lymph nodes, known buboes, can develop into open sores filled with pus.
Other signs commonly associated with bubonic plague involves vomiting, nausea, fever, chills, headache, body aches, and weakness. These symptoms can vary in severity depending on the individual and the progression of the disease.
Causes
According to the CDC, the most frequent way to get plague is from a flea bite. This happens because fleas often carry plague bacteria after feeding on the blood of small animals like prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and chipmunks that have the disease. While the flea bites a person, the bacteria can enter their body from the flea’s mouthparts.
People can also get infection if they come into contact with tissues or fluids through an animal that has the plague or has become fatal from it. This direct contact can also spread the bacteria that cause plague.
Diagnosis
When a doctor suspects someone has this disease, they can ask for specimens of the person’s phlegm, blood, and cells of lymph node. These samples are direct to a lab for examination. Technicians can give initial test results in fewer than two hours, and confirm the diagnosis within 24 to 48 hours.
Treatment
A plague may be deadly if not treated. According to the CDC, getting treatment quickly improves a person’s possibility of recovering from the plague.
When a doctor suspects plague, they start treatment as possible as they take samples from the person. Treatment involves taking antibiotics for a period of time. Antibiotics work well to treat plague if it’s diagnosed early.
Outlook
According to the CDC, from 1990 to 2010, the death rate from infection in the U.S. was 11 percent.
However, in other countries, the death rate from bubonic plague can be higher. The CDC mentions that it’s hard to know the exact death rate in low or moderate-revenue countries because not all cases are determined and reported reliably.
The World Health Organization states that the chance of dying from bubonic plague, known as the mortality ratio, is 30 to 60 percent.
If bubonic plague isn’t medicated, it may affect from the lymph nodes to the bloodstream. Through there, the microorganisms can quickly spread all over the body, causing a serious condition termed septicemic plague.
Untreated disease can also spread to the lungs, leading to pneumonic plague, that is more acute than black death. Without medication, pneumonic plague is almost always fatal.
Prevention
To reduce the risk of spreading bacteria that cause bubonic plague, you can follow these methods:
- Keep your yard clean by removing piles of rocks, wood, trash, and brush where rodents could live.
- Store wild animal and pet food in closed containers to keep rodents away.
- Wear gloves when managing dead or live animals that might have plague.
- Contact your local health division for advice on how to safely dispose of fatal animals.
- Use insect repellent with DEET when you’re outdoors, especially during activities like gardening.
- Use flea control things on pet animals and take them to the vet if they get sick.
- Don’t let cats or dogs meander freely in places plague is found, and avoid letting them sleep on your bed.
Summary
It caused by bacteria from flea bites or contact with infected animals, remains a threat, especially in regions like Africa and places of the Americas. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, and body aches, with swift diagnosis crucial for effective treatment using antibiotics.
Mortality rates vary but untreated cases can lead to severe forms like septicemic or pneumonic plague, which are often fatal. Prevention involves managing rodent habitats, using insect repellent, and safely handling animals. Awareness and early medical attention are key to managing and reducing the impact of bubonic plague outbreaks globally.
