Bubonic Plague

• China’s northern region of Inner Mongolia recently reported 2 cases of bubonic plague.

ABOUT BUBONIC PLAGUE

• It is historically known as the “Black Death” in reference to the gangrenous blackening and death of body parts, such as the fingers and toes, that can happen with the illness.
• Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague, which can be fatal if not treated in time.
• Bubonic plague infection is spread mostly by rodents.
• It is caused by the bite of an infected flea.
• It is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis which enters at the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node where it replicates itself.
• The lymph node then becomes inflamed, tense and painful, and is called a ‘bubo’.
• Along with the tender, enlarged lymph nodes, that can be as large as a chicken egg, other symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and tiredness.
• Bubonic plague can advance and spread to the lungs, which is the more severe type of plague called pneumonic plague.
• Human-to-human transmission of bubonic plague is rare.
• It can now be easily treated with antibiotics.