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The bubonic plague in China's Inner Mongolia – what you should know

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  • Chinese authorities are on high alert after a case of bubonic plague was identified
  • This disease infects the lymph nodes and is transmitted via infected fleas to humans
  • Nowadays, however, bubonic plague is not nearly as dangerous as during the Middle Ages

According to a report from the BBC, China has stepped up precautions after a patient at a hospital in a city in Inner Mongolia was diagnosed with bubonic plague.

Local officials stated that it’s still not sure how the patient contracted bubonic plague. This case triggered a level-three alert on Sunday 5 July 2020 – the second-lowest level of China’s four-level alert system.

Locals were ordered to report any sick or dead rodents or any unexplained symptoms of fever in humans.

Between 2009 and 2018 there were only 26 reported cases with 11 deaths worldwide. Bubonic plague was much more deadly during the Middle Ages, as it wiped out a large part of Britain’s population.

What is bubonic plague?

Bubonic plague is a disease that attacks the lymphatic system and results from the bite of a flea infected with the bacteria Yersina pestis that lives on rats. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bubonic plague is transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of an infected flea (usually in areas where rodents carrying the fleas are present), direct contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated materials, or the inhalation of respiratory droplets from the infected person.

A more severe type of bubonic plague, called pneumonic plague, can occur when the infection spreads to the lungs, resulting in respiratory distress.

Nowadays, recovery rates are high if bubonic plague is detected and treated within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The disease causes the lymph nodes to become inflamed and painful, resulting in swollen areas in the armpits or groin, also known as “buboes”. As there was no way to treat this infection centuries ago, the swollen lymph nodes resulted in infected, puss-filled sores. This can still happen if the disease progresses without treatment.

With the onset of infection, patients develop fever, headache, chills and weakness.

Although human to human transmission of bubonic plague was extremely common in the Middle Ages because of overcrowded urban settings, this type of transmission is rare nowadays.

Why was it so deadly centuries ago?

In the Middle Ages, bubonic plague was more commonly known as the “Black Death” and caused fear and death in urban communities for hundreds of years, wiping out a large part of the population of Europe in the 14th century. The plague returned for centuries thereafter, often in the summer months. It is thought that the Great Fire of London in 1666 was largely responsible for ending this scourge in London, as it destroyed many of the favourite haunts of the rats which bore the infected fleas.

Fortunately, today bubonic plague can be treated with antibiotics, which makes the prospect significantly less terrifying.

Should we panic?

Health 24 reported on 25 October 2017 that South Africa was one of nine countries warned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to take precautionary measures against the bubonic plague. 

The other eight countries included the Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, France's La Réunion, the Seychelles and Tanzania. However, no recent outbreaks have been reported in any of these areas. 

As bubonic plague is mostly transmitted by infected fleas, the best measure of prevention is to reduce rodent habitats around your area of living. Make your home rodent-proof.

Wear gloves if you come into contact with any rodents. Ensure that your pets are always treated for fleas.

Image credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL) from Wikimedia Commons

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