(CNN) — A person in Deschutes County, Oregon, has been diagnosed with a case of bubonic plague, making it the first confirmed case of the rare bacterial infection in the state since 2015.
The person likely contracted the virus from a pet cat, and “all close contacts of the resident and their pet were contacted and provided with medication to prevent the disease,” said Deschutes County Health Officer Richard Fau. Dr. Set said in a statement last week. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common antibiotics such as gentamicin and fluoroquinolones are first-line treatments for plague.
The statement said the infected person was being “treated at an early stage of the disease” and there was “little risk” to the community.
But the incident raises questions about how the plague, best known for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages, spreads in modern times.
“The reason why it is not eradicated is because there is an animal host. This bacterium can infect animals and we cannot treat all animals in the wild, so it persists in nature and is therefore limited. can cause a large number of human cases,” said Dr. Dan Baruch, director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research. He is a doctor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is not involved in the Oregon case.
According to the CDC, approximately seven human plague cases are reported each year in the United States, primarily in rural areas of the Southwest and Northwest.
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Humans usually become infected after being bitten by a flea that carries the bacteria or after encountering an infected animal. Symptoms typically appear in humans about 2 to 8 days after exposure and include painful, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, chills, and weakness.
If the condition is not diagnosed early, it can progress to an infection in the bloodstream or lungs, Deschutes County Health Services said in a statement. Such severe diseases are more difficult to treat.
But overall, today, “plague is easily recognized, easily diagnosed, and easily treated with antibiotics,” says Northwell Health infectious disease specialist involved in the Oregon case. said Dr. Harish Muajani.
Compared to the Middle Ages, “people need to put everything into perspective. It's a different time now,” he said.
Barousch thinks it's “very unlikely” the plague will spread beyond people in Oregon.
“As long as the person and their direct contacts are treated, which is what happened in this case, the chance of further spread of the infection is very low. Therefore, people should think there is no need to worry. “However, if you want to reduce your risk, you should avoid contact with rodents, fleas, and sick animals.”
“It turns out that cats are very easily infected because they have a hard time controlling bacteria on their own,” Baroush says. “Dogs can be infected, but cats are even more susceptible. Animals that are infected in the wild are usually squirrels, chipmunks, and rodents.”
In the Middle Ages, the plague was thought to cause a pandemic called the Black Death and was spread by fleas carried by rats.
“The reason there was so much death and destruction in the Middle Ages is because there were no antibiotics at the time,” Baroush said.
“It can be a serious illness, but if caught early it's usually easily treated with antibiotics. So it's now a very treatable disease. During the Black Death in the Middle Ages, people “We must not create the kind of fear that was felt,” he said. “If someone develops symptoms consistent with plague (usually early symptoms are fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes), please see a doctor. In its early stages, plague is easily treated with antibiotics. is.”
Although a Y. pestis vaccine exists, Moorjani said it is only recommended for high-risk people, such as scientists who work directly with the plague bacterium.
“Most people don't need the vaccine,” he said.
Moorjani said people should take basic precautions to keep themselves and their pets healthy by maintaining good hygiene in and around their homes to prevent contact with fleas and rodents. said that it can be done. Pets should also be led outdoors and properly flea-treated, he added.
According to the World Health Organization, if you participate in outdoor activities, you should take precautions to avoid flea bites and avoid touching dead animals.
“Plague infection can be easily prevented by good general hygiene and reasonable personal protection,” Muadjani said.
The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
