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The plague was detected in a squirrel on July 11. The diagnosis of a dangerous infectious disease was reported by the Department of Public Health of Jefferson County (JCPH), Colorado. The unit warns: if proper precautions are not taken, people and animals can catch the plague – reports “CNN”.
- In the USA, Colorado, a squirrel was diagnosed with bubonic plague, the most common form of plague among rodents and humans
- Jefferson County Department of Public Health Cautions: Humans and Pets Can Pass Plague Bacteria if Proper Precautions are Not Taken
- Complete cure of the plague is possible with the prompt diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment, but you must always remember about the existing risk.
- The CDC estimates that around 1 people are reported worldwide every year. up to 2 plague cases
In Colorado, a squirrel was diagnosed with bubonic plague
The squirrel diagnosed with the plague was in the town of Morrison, Jefferson County, Colorado. The so-called bubonic plague. It is the most common form of plague among rodents and humans. It is one of the three forms of the disease. Apart from bubonic plague, there are also septic plague and pulmonary plague, which is considered to be one of the most contagious and most serious human diseases.
This is the first case of plague in the county this year, as reported in a press release by the Jefferson County Department of Public Health – JCPH.
The JCPH warns that humans and animals can become infected with the bacteria that cause the plague if proper precautions are not taken.
Plague – How Can You Get It?
In most cases, the plague bacteria are transmitted to humans by rodent fleas (most often rats, voles, squirrels). Infection can also occur as a result of direct contact with meat or body fluids of an infected animal (e.g. during unprotected dressing of animals hunted by hunters). In the pulmonary form of plague, infection can occur via droplets.
In the case of bubonic plague, symptoms appear two to six days after being bitten by an infected flea. First, there is high fever, chills, headaches and general weakness. However, quickly there is a significant enlargement of the lymph nodes (so-called bubo). They become soft, painful and have a tendency to crack. In severe forms of the disease, many groups of nodes are affected and fistulas develop. According to estimates, an untreated form of bubonic plague in 50-60 percent. ends in death.
- The plague is still dangerous. Here’s what we need to know about this disease
“CNN” emphasizes that by using antibiotics given early in the disease, complications related to the disease can be avoided. Complete cure of the plague is possible with the prompt diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment, but you must always remember about the existing danger. As the World Health Organization reminds: early diagnosis and prompt treatment can save lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an agency of the US federal government that is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, an average of about seven cases of plague occur in the United States each year. The CDC estimates that around 1 people are reported worldwide every year. up to 2 cases of this disease.
Plague diagnosed in a Chinese city
On July 15, the Mongolian news agency Montsame reported that a 15-year-old boy had died of bubonic plague in western Mongolia (a marmot allegedly contracted the disease). Part of the Gobia-Altai province has been placed under quarantine, and 15 people who have had contact with the deceased remain in isolation.
In early July this year, a case of bubonic plague was diagnosed at a local hospital in the city of Bayan Nur in the Chinese Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia. City officials then issued a third-degree alert, prohibiting hunting and eating meat from animals that could transmit plague bacteria (including marmots). There were also calls for reporting cases of fever occurring for no apparent reason and for reporting sick or dead marmots.
In November 2019, four human cases of plague were reported in the region, including two pulmonary plague.
- Read more about the plague diagnosed in China
Referring to the plague cases detected in Bayan Nur in July, the World Health Organization said that the sudden onset of the disease had been well dealt with and posed little threat. – We are monitoring the sudden outbreaks of the plague in China, we are observing it closely and in cooperation with the Chinese and Mongolian authorities – said the representative of the World Health Organization, Margaret Harris. – At the moment we do not consider it (…) risky, but we are observing it, we are monitoring it carefully – she repeated.
As you can see, plague is not a forgotten disease. It is worth remembering that it is responsible for the most deadly pandemic in human history. An estimated 50 million deaths have occurred in the plague pandemic known as the Black Death in medieval Europe.
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