“Plague was one of history’s deadliest diseases—then we found a cure - National Geographic UK” plus 2 more

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• Plague was one of history’s deadliest diseases—then we found a cure - National Geographic UK
• Bubonic Plague case reported in Navajo County - Payson Roundup
• The bubonic plague still exists — here's how you get it and how to treat it - Insider - INSIDER

Plague was one of history’s deadliest diseases—then we found a cure - National Geographic UK Posted: 20 Jul 2020 03:10 AM PDT For hundreds of years, what caused plague outbreaks remained mysterious, and shrouded in superstitions. But keen observations and advances in microscopes eventually helped unveil the true culprit. In 1894, Alexandre Yersin discovered the bacterium responsible for causing plague: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is an extraordinarily virulent, rod-shaped bacterium. It disables the immune system of its host by injecting toxins into defence cells, such as macrophages, that are tasked with detecting bacterial infections. Once these cells are knocked out, the bacteria can multiply unhindered. Many small mammals act as hosts to the bacteria, including rats, mice, chipmunks, prairie dogs, rabbits, and squirrels. During an enzootic cycle, Y. pestis can circulate at low rates within populations of rodents, mostly undetected because it doesn't produce an outbreak. When the bacteria pass to other species, during an epizootic cycle, humans face a greater risk for becoming infected with plague bacteria. Rats have long been thought to be the main vector of plague outbreaks, because of their intimate connection with humans in urban areas. Scientists have more recently discovered that a flea that lives on rats, Xenopsylla cheopis, primarily causes human cases of plague. When rodents die from the plague, fleas jump to a new host, biting them and transmitting Y. pestis. Transmission also occurs by handling tissue or blood from a plague-infected animal, or inhalation of infected droplets. Bubonic plague, the disease's most common form, refers to telltale buboes—painfully swollen lymph nodes—that appear around the groin, armpit, or neck. The skin sores become black, leading to its nickname during pandemics as "Black Death." Initial symptoms of this early stage include vomiting, nausea, and fever. Pneumonic plague, the most infectious type, is an advanced stage of plague that moves into the lungs. During this stage, the disease is passed directly, person to person, through airborne particles coughed from an infected person's lungs. If untreated, bubonic and pneumonic plague can progress to septicemic plague, infecting the bloodstream. If left untreated, pneumonic and septicemic plague kills almost 100 percent of those it infects. Infamous plagues Three particularly well-known pandemics occurred before the cause of plague was discovered. The first well-documented crisis was the Plague of Justinian, which began in 542 A.D. Named after the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, the pandemic killed up to 10,000 people a day in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey), according to ancient historians. Modern estimates indicate half of Europe's population—almost 100 million deaths—was wiped out before the plague subsided in the 700s. Arguably the most infamous plague outbreak was the so-called Black Death, a multi-century pandemic that swept through Asia and Europe. It was believed to start in China in 1334, spreading along trade routes and reaching Europe via Sicilian ports in the late 1340s. The plague killed an estimated 25 million people, almost a third of the continent's population. The Black Death lingered on for centuries, particularly in cities. Outbreaks included the Great Plague of London (1665-66), in which 70,000 residents died. The cause of plague wasn't discovered until the most recent global outbreak, which started in China in 1860 and didn't officially end until 1959. The pandemic caused roughly 10 million deaths. The plague was brought to North America in the early 1900s by ships, and thereafter spread to small mammals throughout the United States. The high rate of fatality during these pandemics meant that the dead were often buried in quickly dug mass graves. From teeth of these plague victims, scientists have pieced together a family tree of Y. pestis, discovering that the strain from the Justinian Plague was related to, but distinct from, other strains of the plague.  Plague in modern society Plague still exists in various parts of the world, popping up sporadically and followed actively by the World Health Organisation and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases have appeared in Africa since the 1990s. Between 2004 to 2014, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported the majority of plague cases worldwide, with 4,630 human cases and 349 deaths. Scientists link the prevalence of plague in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the ecosystem—primarily mountain tropical climate. More recently, plague broke out in Madagascar in 2017, yielding more than 2,300 cases. The United States, China, India, Vietnam, and Mongolia are among the other countries that have had confirmed human plague cases in recent years. Within the U.S., on average seven human cases of plague appear each year, emerging primarily in California and the Southwest. Today, most people survive plague with rapid diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Good sanitation practices and pest control minimise contact with infected fleas and rodents to help prevent plague pandemics. Plague is classified as a Category A pathogen, because it readily passes between people and could result in high mortality rates if untreated. This classification has helped stoke fears that Y. pestis could be used as a biological weapon if distributed in aerosol form. As a small airborne particle it would cause pneumonic plague, the most lethal and contagious form. Of conservation concern, federally endangered black-footed ferrets contract another form of the plague, sylvatic plague, from nearby prairie dogs. Plague can decimate prairie dog populations, which are a critical food source for black-footed ferrets. Scientists have started to administer a vaccine to prevent plague outbreaks in prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. SOURCES Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: Plague History.com: Black Death Johns Hopkins: Centre for Health Security National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Priority Pathogens Plague as a Biological Weapon Plague: from natural disease to bioterrorism U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Black-footed ferret World Health Organisation: Plague This story has been updated. It was originally published on August 20, 2019.

Bubonic Plague case reported in Navajo County - Payson Roundup Posted: 29 Jul 2020 01:05 PM PDT The plague? Like the Black Death? Now? On top of everything else? Well, yes. Navajo County last week did announce the discovery of a single case of the bubonic plague, the bacteria that killed half of the population of Europe between 1346 and 1353. But it's not as bad as it sounds. Thank goodness for antibiotics, which have turned a gruesome death sentence into a painful but manageable disease – at least in the United States where people can readily get antibiotic therapy for the bacteria injected by fleas who feed on people after feeding on plague-infected rodents. The plague continues to perk along in Arizona and New Mexico, living in pack rats, ground squirrels, gophers, rats and other furry critters. Now and then, it spreads to humans with some help from fleas. Navajo County warned people not to handle rodents – even when they're dead. The fleas on the body can easily hop to humans and spread the plague. Here, doctors discovered the infection in a 55-year-old man living in Navajo County – although they're not saying just where he lives. Experts from the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute at Northern Arizona University are working with county public health officials to figure out how the man got infected. So far, they've found no other infections, according to assistant county manager Bryan Layton. "They are pursuing all avenues to discover where it originated. Plague in burrowing animals was identified in the county in August of 2017, but we don't have records of another human infection in recent history. Whether or not an individual is tested for the plague would depend on the individual assessment of their physician." In the meantime, health officials want you to be careful. "We encourage residents to use insect repellant when out in the environment, don't let pets roam free and not to touch sick of dead wildlife," said Layton. The Federal Center for Disease Control reports an average of seven plague cases in the US annually, with almost all of those cases in nine western states – especially Arizona and New Mexico. The plague came ashore in 1900 in rat-infested steamships, mostly setting out from Asia. Plague spread from urban rats to rural rodents and became entrenched in the western US long after it had been eradicated in the rest of the country. It flares up from time to time – reaching 17 cases per year in 2006 and 2015. The plague remains scattered throughout the world, with the worst problem in central Africa and Madagascar. All told, some 700 cases of the plague are discovered world-wide each year. The plague bacteria – Yersinia pestis – has a complicated life cycle involving rodents and their fleas, with the incidental spread to other species like dogs, cats and humans. Coyotes, cats and dogs can easily get infected by eating rats, mice, rabbits and squirrels. Their fleas can then spread the bacterium to humans. The rodents can often withstand infections without illness, which makes them a reservoir in which the bacterium can hide. Mostly, the disease spreads through flea bites, but bodily fluids and even cough droplets can also spread the bacteria with devastating effects. The plague comes in three forms, bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic. Early symptoms of the three forms include fever, headaches, shortness of breath, chest pains, chills, weakness, abdominal pain and other symptoms that sound an awful lot like COVID-19 – complicating early diagnosis for doctors. Septicemic and pneumonic plague provoke fewer early symptom, beyond swollen lymph glands. Left untreated, the plague spreads more slowly but does far more damage than COVID-19. It spreads through the lymphatic system, the staging ground for the immune system. That might account for its terrible death rate. Fortunately, common antibiotics can generally tame an infection quickly – depending on how early you catch the spread. Out of 3,200 known cases between 2010 and 2015, the plague accounted for 584 deaths world-wide. The emergence of this single local case of the plague even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores how far we've come since the centuries when human populations were wracked by lethal pandemic almost routinely. The plague apparently originated in Asia and for centuries caused repeated, lethal, global outbreaks. The Black Death killed an estimated 50 million people, wiping out up to 60 percent of the European population. At the time, people had no idea the disease was mostly spread by the fleas of rats. Another epidemics devastated the Eastern Roman Empire in the 6th Century CE and a third raged through China, Mongolia and Indian in 1855. So avoid handling rodents – and don't let the cat or dog go after the mice and ground squirrels. Other than that, give thanks COVID-19's death rate is something like 1 percent instead of 90 percent. Turns out, even with a pandemic – there's always a bright side.

The bubonic plague still exists — here's how you get it and how to treat it - Insider - INSIDER Posted: 30 Jul 2020 01:46 PM PDT  The bubonic plague is a deadly bacterial infection, caused by Yersinia pestis. In the 14th century, before treatment was available, bubonic plague killed 50 million people in Europe and became known as the "Black Death."  But in modern times, bubonic plague is rare affecting between 1 and 17 people per year in the United States.  Bubonic plague is still deadly if not treated, so it's important to seek medical aid immediately if you think you have it. Here's what you need to know about how to treat and prevent bubonic plague. How do you get bubonic plague? The bubonic plague has a frightening history, but there is little risk of it becoming a global threat, says Michael Head, PhD, a senior research fellow in Global Health at the University of Southampton. "There are a few hundred cases of plague globally each year, so the disease itself is relatively rare." It is found mainly in Africa, Asia, and South America. Countries with the most number of cases are usually Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru, and Madagascar. There are also occasional plague cases in the western United States mostly in two areas: the Southwest four corners region and the Northwest in California and Oregon. One reason bubonic plague is uncommon is that it is rarely transmitted between people. It's possible to pass it on through a cough, but the most common way to catch plague is through a bite from an infected flea or animal.  How does the bubonic plague affect your body? Bubonic plague targets your lymph nodes, which are located throughout your body. They are round clusters of immune cells that fight off invading microbes. When plague bacteria enter your system, they multiply inside the closest lymph node. This can cause swollen, painful lymph nodes, most often found in your groin, neck, or armpit. If you aren't treated for bubonic plague, the infection can spread through your whole body. In addition to swollen lymph nodes, other symptoms of bubonic plague include: Fever that comes on suddenly Chills Headache Weakness Nausea and vomiting If you catch bubonic plague, symptoms will take between one to seven days to show up after you are exposed. Symptoms will usually worsen rapidly, which is why it's important to seek treatment immediately. Other forms of plague  Depending on where the Y. pestis bacteria spreads in your body, you can develop two additional forms of plague: Pneumonic plague occurs when Y. pestis spreads to your lungs. This condition is extremely dangerous and infected people can die within 18-24 hours of being exposed to the bacteria if they are not quickly treated with antibiotics. Septicemic plague is caused by plague bacteria spreading through your bloodstream. This form of plague can cause other troubling symptoms — your skin and other tissue can turn black and die, particularly on your nose, fingers, and toes. You may also bleed out of your mouth, nose, or anus. Treatment and prevention of the bubonic plague To diagnose bubonic plague, your doctor will test your blood, mucus, or pus from swollen lymph nodes to look for the Y. pestis bacteria. If you test positive for bubonic plague, "immediate treatment is essential," Head says.  "If untreated, bubonic plague has a mortality rate of around 50%," Head says. If you get treated with antibiotics, the death rate drops to about 11%. Doctors will usually give antibiotics like streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin to treat bubonic plague. You may also need to get intravenous fluids and oxygen to help your body through the treatment process. If you are traveling to a region with a higher plague risk, it may help to take precautions against flea bites. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to protect your skin and use a DEET-based bug spray to repel fleas. You should also stay away from any animals you suspect may have fleas. The bottom line Most people have a very low risk of getting bubonic plague. If you are visiting a country known to have above-average cases of bubonic plague, make sure you are aware of plague signs and symptoms. If you think you may have bubonic plague, get medical help immediately.

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