Now it’s pneumonic plague in China
We reported about six weeks ago on an outbreak of bubonic plague in Libya. Now China has quarantined an entire town to fight a more dangerous and virulent form of the disease, which readily spreads among humans.
Unlike bubonic plague, which is normally spread by flea bites, pneumonic plague is spread through aerosol—yes, tiny water droplets—as occur in sneezing and coughing. This allows it to spread readily among humans without any intermediary vector. Since the bacteria causing the plague is highly virulent, people who have been exposed must seek medical treatment immediately.
Antibiotics are effective against the disease, but must be taken immediately, as death can occur within 24 hours of infection. Coughing and fever are the primary symptoms.
The town of Ziketan and the surrounding part of Qinghai province have been quarantined since a second townsman—a friend and neighbor of the first—died of the plague. Ten people in the area are known to be infected. People who have visited the area have been urged to go to a hospital immediately should they develop a cough or fever.
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