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Why in News:
- Recently the city of Oregon, USA reported its first bubonic plague case since 2005, reviving concerns about the disease known historically as the Black Death.
Bubonic Plague
- Cause: Caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, spreading between animals (primarily small ones and their fleas) and humans.
- Transmission Modes: Human infection can occur through flea bites, direct contact with infected animals, or inhalation of infected droplets.
- Symptoms: Can vary; bubonic plague involves swollen lymph nodes, while septicemic plague affects the bloodstream and pneumonic plague involves the lungs, being the most contagious form.
The Black Death
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Current Risks:
- Current Threat Level: Low, due to advancements in antibiotics and hygiene.
- Annual Incidence: A few thousand cases were reported globally, mainly in Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Peru, with an approximately 11% fatality rate.
- Prevention and Treatment: Early treatment with common antibiotics significantly improves survival rates, minimizing the risk of a pandemic.
