Pneumonic Plague Infects China (Part 2)

A variant of the plague that contributed to the Black Death in the 14^th century has resurfaced in China – specifically the town of Ziketan, which is home to about ten-thousand people. Three lives have been taken already, and the government is attempting to quarantine the town to try to prevent further contamination.

So, what makes this strain of the bacteria different from the disease that caused the Black Death?

Bubonic Plague versus Pneumonic Plague

Bubonic plague is theorized to be the main contributor to the infamous Black Death, but while the bubonic plague was transmitted from animals to humans (mainly via flea or rat), the pneumonic plague can be transmitted from human to human, which increases the potential risk. Another difference between these plagues is where the infection is centralized. Bubonic plague targets the infection at the lymph nodes, while pneumonic plague infects the lungs.

To become infected with pneumonic plague, a person must inhale droplets that contain bacteria from an infected person. If left untreated, this disease has a high fatality rate and can lead to respiratory failure. Septicemic plague can occur as a complication of the pneumonic plague and bubonic plague in which the plague bacteria multiplies in the bloodstream.

Recent History of the Pneumonic Plague

The last large outbreak of the pneumonic plague occurred in the Congo in 2005; sixty-one people were killed and hundreds became sick. This was the deadliest outbreak since 9,300 people were killed in Manchuria in the 1920s. There have been few other fatalities of this disease, but some may go unreported due to their occurrence in remote areas. It is estimated that about 98% of cases occur in Africa.

This very aggressive infection has the unique symptom of bloody or watery discharges from the lungs. Without treatment, the mortality rate of the pneumonic plague is near one hundred percent. Early treatment is essential, as some people die within 24 hours of becoming infected.

Where Did This Outbreak Originate?

It is theorized that a dog is the source of the recent outbreak in Ziketan. The dog had died from an unknown disease, but it is likely that it had eaten an infected marmot. Origination theories say that burying the dead dog resulted in the man becoming infected due to fleas.

Even though the pneumonic plague is not a common form of the plague, does that mean that there should be less concern? While the area that is infected is remote and sparsely populated, should there be more effort to contain the infected animals carrying the disease to prevent more outbreaks?

Resources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=8250776&page=1

http://www.usnews.com/articles/science/medical-science/2009/08/04/pneumonic-plague-should-we-worry.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonic_plague