A resident of Oregon has been diagnosed with bubonic plague, likely caused by a pet cat. The importance of recognizing symptoms and taking preventive measures is highlighted in this case, which is the first in Oregon since 2015. Experts recommend that you avoid rodents, use flea control products, and seek immediate medical attention for symptoms. Plague is relatively rare but can be life-threatening if untreated. The disease can only be managed with prevention and early treatment.
A person from Deschutes County, Oregon, has been diagnosed with bubonic plague, which is the first case in the state since 2015. The individual, receiving treatment, likely contracted the disease from a pet cat. Preventive medication has been administered by health authorities after assessing close contacts.
Plague’s Symptoms and Forms
Bubonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, presents as swollen lymph nodes after a flea bite, typically on the arms or legs. Bacteria entering the bloodstream triggers septicemic plague, while pneumonic plague is the most deadly type, resulting in fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and bloody sputum.
Transmission and Prevention
Plague primarily spreads among small mammals through infected fleas. Cats, like other mammals, can carry and transmit the disease to humans. Prompt recognition and treatment with appropriate antibiotics are crucial. Vaccines are being developed to prevent plague, and it involves reducing contact with rodents and using flea control products on pets.
Expert Advice
Experts give advice on recognizing symptoms, getting treated, and preventing infection. Although the recent Oregon case raises concerns, experts assure that plague is endemic to the western U.S. and advise precautions, such as avoiding rodents and using flea control products.
In the U.S., an average of seven cases are reported annually due to the rarity of plague. If you experience symptoms like fever, chills, headache, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
Early treatment with antibiotics, such as gentamicin or fluoroquinolones, can lead to effective results. To prevent plague, it’s important to avoid rodents in plague-endemic areas, keep pets away from potentially infected animals, and use flea medications. Common-sense measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection despite the lack of an available vaccine for bubonic plague.
