Plague

Description

Plague is a severe infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It primarily spreads through bites from infected fleas that reside on rodents. The disease has three main forms: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. Bubonic plague presents with swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, and chills. If untreated, it can progress to septicemic plague, affecting the bloodstream, or pneumonic plague, which involves the lungs and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Prevention

1. Avoid Contact with Rodents

• Keep living areas clean and free of rodents.
• Seal holes and gaps in buildings to prevent rodent entry.

2. Control Fleas

• Use flea control products on pets.
• Treat outdoor areas to reduce flea populations.

3. Awareness in Endemic Areas

• Exercise caution in regions where plague is prevalent.
• Avoid handling wild animals and report sick or dead rodents to health authorities.

4. Protective Clothing

• Wear gloves and masks if handling potentially infected animals.

5. Vaccination

• While no widely available vaccine exists, vaccination may be recommended for high-risk individuals in certain areas.

By adhering to these preventive measures, the risk of contracting plague can be significantly minimized.