Colorado Health Officials Investigate Human Case of Bubonic Plague

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In a rare occurrence, Colorado health officials are investigating a suspected human case of the bubonic plague, a bacterial infection that infamously decimated Europe’s population in the 14th century. Despite its historical notoriety, the plague today is rare and treatable with antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. records about seven cases annually. Earlier this year, Oregon reported a case likely transmitted from a sick cat.

 

The news might surprise those who consider the plague a relic of the past, but understanding its current presence and treatment is crucial. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, primarily spread among rodents such as prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague, which affects the entire body, and pneumonic plague, which infects the lungs.

 

Bubonic plague causes painful, swollen lymph nodes known as buboes, typically found in the groin, armpit, and neck. If untreated, it can progress into the septicemic or pneumonic forms. Other symptoms include sudden high fever and chills, headaches, and pain in the abdomen, legs, and arms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

 

The bacteria Yersinia pestis, which causes the plague, is usually transmitted through the bites of infected fleas. These fleas can jump between rodents, pets, and humans, spreading the disease. Humans can also contract the plague through contact with infected bodily fluids, making it crucial to exercise caution when handling sick or dead animals. The plague can also spread via respiratory droplets from a person with pneumonic plague, the most deadly form, which has a nearly 100% fatality rate if untreated.

 

In the U.S., most plague cases occur in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the plague is most endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Peru.

 

While the plague was never eradicated, advancements in prevention and treatment have significantly reduced its threat. Early antibiotic treatment is crucial for curing the plague, underscoring the importance of seeking medical attention promptly. Preventative measures include keeping areas around the home free of debris to deter rodents and ensuring pets are up to date on flea treatments. The CDC also recommends using bug spray with DEET when spending time outdoors to repel fleas and other disease-carrying pests.

 

Vaccines for the plague exist but are recommended by the WHO only for individuals at high risk, such as laboratory and healthcare workers.

 

There is no plague vaccine available in the U.S. Lisa Morici, a microbiologist and immunologist at Tulane University School of Medicine, emphasizes the need for more research. While existing vaccines in other parts of the world are effective against bubonic plague, there is insufficient evidence to confirm their efficacy against pneumonic plague. Developing a vaccine trial is ethically and logistically challenging due to the rarity of the disease and its treatability with antibiotics. As Morici notes, "Because the bubonic form is quite treatable with antibiotics and also quite rare — you don’t see thousands and thousands of cases of plague a year — there’s just not a huge market for a plague vaccine at this point in time."

 

The investigation in Colorado highlights the importance of vigilance and awareness in preventing and managing plague infections, even in modern times.

 

Credit: NBC News 2024-07-12

 

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[john donson]

now if only big pharma could mix this with a covid variant...that would be ...

[impulse]

Every time I go by the Chatuchak pet market, I'm reminded of the signs around western prairie dog colonies, warning of the risk of bubonic plague.

 

[Purdey]

I guess the USA is joining an exclusive club of countries with bubonic plague like Zambia, India, Malawi, Algeria, China, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.