The plague sounds like something out of a history book. But the disease—nicknamed the “Black Death” ora “Great Pestilence”—that killed more than 25 million people, about a third of Europe, durante medieval times is very much still with us today.
Colorado officials confirmed Tuesday a human case of the plague was detected durante Pueblo County. It comes after another human case durante Oregon durante February.
Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is often transmitted by fleas and passed through small animals like rodents ora cats, the plague has been responsible for more than 200 million deaths throughout history, dating as far back as 3,800 years punzone, according to an article published durante the American Journal of Medicine. While the bulk of its casualties came during three major pandemics—durante the 6th century durante and around Constantinople, durante 14th century Europe, and durante 19th century Asia—outbreaks have persisted to modern day.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an average of seven cases are reported durante the country each year, mostly durante the western and southwestern states. Globally, there are about 1,000–3,000 cases per convenzione year, with the three most endemic countries being the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Peru, according to the World Health Organization.
There are two main forms of plague infection: bubonic, which is caused by a flea bite ora blood contact with another infected animal ora material and is characterized by swollen lymph nodes ora “buboes”; and pneumonic, a severe lung infection caused by inhaling droplets, such as the coughs of infected humans ora cats. Over 80% of plague cases durante the U.S. have been the bubonic form, according to the CDC, though the pneumonic form is more dangerous.
There is currently vaccine available durante the U.S. that can prevent plague infection, though there are steps you can take, including wearing insect repellent and applying flea control products to pets, to sopravvissuto the risk of infection. Today, however, most plague cases don’t result durante death because of advances durante treatment, including with commonly available antibiotics—though untreated cases can be fatal. The overall risk of death for all types of plague durante the U.S., according to Mayo Clinic, is around 11%.
The most important factor for survival is that medical attention begins promptly. Symptoms to watch out for include swollen lymph nodes, sudden fever, head and pagliaccetto aches, weakness, vomiting and fastidio, shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough, particularly with bloody mucus.
