Originally Answered: How is the plague transmitted?

Plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis is an extremely contagious disease. Human history has recorded many attacks of this evil disease causing countless deaths. Until now, if detected early, the disease can be easily treated with antibiotics. However, because this is a contagious disease that spreads easily, it is very important to know how the plague is transmitted to prevent it.

In fact, the plague has an extremely fast rate of spread and the typical tell-tale sign is swollen, painful, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or around the groin. Without timely detection and treatment, the patient's life will be seriously threatened.

How is the plague transmitted?

Everyone knows that bubonic plague is a contagious and extremely dangerous disease, but not everyone knows how the plague is transmitted. Here are the main routes of spread of plague:

Blood sugar

The bacillus Yersinia pestis that causes bubonic plague usually enters the human body through the bite of fleas and lice that carry the disease. This group of insects used to parasitize infected animals such as: Rats, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, prairie dogs… When there is an outbreak of plague, many infected rodents will die and the parasites on Their bodies are starving, so they need to find another source of blood. At this time, both people and animals around the area are at risk of being bitten by fleas or disease-carrying lice.

The bacillus Yersinia pestis causes bubonic plague, easily penetrates through the bloodstream

Not only that, pets such as dogs and cats can also bring plague-infected parasites into the home and create conditions for them to be transmitted to humans. After being bitten by an insect, the bacteria will follow the bite into the blood of the new host and transmit plague.

Skin, mucous membranes

When you come into contact with animals infected with plague, you can come into direct contact with fluids, tissues of infected objects through the conjunctival eye, pharynx or skin damaged by being bitten or scratched by an animal. (most commonly cats because they can eat infected rats). From there, the bacillus Yersinia pestis penetrates the skin and develops disease.

Respiratory

How is the plague transmitted? In some cases of pneumonic plague, the bacteria that cause bubonic plague can be transmitted from person to person through saliva droplets. This usually happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or has close contact with other people.

If you accidentally breathe in droplets containing Yersinia pestis bacteria, you can become infected with pneumonic plague. This respiratory transmission is the only way that bubonic plague spreads from person to person, but in practice this is quite rare.

Plague can also be transmitted through the respiratory tract

In addition, plague can also be transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract by eating infected mice or drinking contaminated water. However, plague bacteria are easily destroyed when cooked and boiled, so this is a rare route of transmission.

Who is at high risk for bubonic plague?

Plague can affect all races, ages, and genders. Knowing how bubonic plague is transmitted helps us to identify factors that increase the risk of this infectious disease including:

• Geography: Plague easily broke out in suburban, rural, or densely populated areas with poor sanitation and rodent populations.
• Occupation: People at high risk of contracting bubonic plague due to contact with infected animals (dogs, cats, wild animals ...) such as: Veterinarians and veterinarian's assistants, who work in the area There are many infected animals, staff in the research, care or experimentation of animals, people who work in hunting or slaughtering animals, etc.
• Hobbies: People who have a hobby of hunting, camping, or walking in an area inhabited by infected animals may be at increased risk of bubonic plague.

People who keep or care for dogs and cats are at high risk of contracting the plague

Diagnosis and treatment of plague

To make a diagnosis, doctors will test and collect information about the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis in samples taken from blood, lymph nodes, and lungs.

Patients need to be hospitalized for plague treatment and take strong antibiotics such as: Gentamicin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin.

Solutions to prevent the spread of plague

Once you know how plague is transmitted, you need to pay attention to prevent the disease from spreading by following the recommended solutions:

• It is advisable to arrange reasonable housing and warehouses, regularly clean and dispose of things that are no longer used, especially the source of shelter and food for rodents such as wood, leftovers, garbage. 
• Wash hands often with soap. Wear gloves if you need to slaughter or prepare animals at risk of bubonic plague.
• Immediately notify a health facility or responsible people if an unusually dead mouse is found in the living area. At the same time, you should get advice from a medical facility for proper handling of dead animals.
• Pay attention to the rat's lair where you live and set up rat traps.
• Comply with, fully participate in the annual periodic rat extermination plans with local chemicals.
• Spray insecticides to kill fleas in areas that have had plague outbreaks or are at high risk of spreading to limit insect bites .
• Use flea repellent if you suspect you are at risk of being exposed to fleas from rodents when participating in activities such as: working outdoors, camping, long walks in the wilderness ...
• Flea and lice repellents should be used on pets or pets that are at risk of coming into contact with infected animals and bringing fleas into the home. When your pet is sick, seek veterinary help quickly.
• Patients with pneumonic plague need to wear a mask and be isolated so as not to infect others through droplets.

Pay attention to the rat's lair to avoid the plague virus

Plague, if not detected and treated early, can turn bad and cause rapid death. To prevent bubonic plague, it is very important to know how the plague is transmitted . In addition, you need to go to a medical facility immediately after coming into contact with the source of the disease and showing signs of suspected plague infection.