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Plague
What is plague?
Plague is a severe disease caused by an infection with a type of bacteria
that is found in rodents and transmitted to man by fleas. Plague can exist
in different forms in people and can require strict isolation and disinfection
procedures. The disease is relatively rare in the United States and is
limited to the west and southwestern parts of the country.
Who gets plague?
People working or visiting areas with infected rodents are at greater
risk of contracting this disease. There have been no reports of plague
in New York State.
How is plague spread?
The most common means of transmission is by exposure to infected fleas.
Other important sources include the handling of tissues from infected
animals (especially rabbits or rodents), airborne droplets from humans
or household pets with plague pneumonia or by laboratory exposure.
What are the symptoms of plague?
The initial symptom is usually a swollen, inflamed and tender Iymph
gland in the body near where the infected flea bit the person. Fever is
usually present. The disease may progress to a generalized blood infection
that may result in pneumonia. People with pneumonic plague may transmit
the disease to other people when coughing.
How soon do symptoms occur?
Symptoms usually begin within one to six days after exposure to the
plague bacteria.
Does past infection with plague make a person immune?
Immunity after plague recovery is variable, and may not provide complete
protection.
What is the treatment for plague?
Certain antibiotics such as streptomycin, tetracyclines and chloramphenicol
are effective in treating the disease.
What can be done to prevent the spread of plague?
The patient, his/her clothing and baggage should be treated to kill
all fleas that may be attached. Patients with pneumonic plague should
be quarantined until three full days of antibiotic treatment have been
administered. When human or animal cases have been identified, efforts
to control the rodent and flea populations by the use of rodenticides
and insecticides should be used.
Source: NY State Department of Health
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