Russia Plague: The death of a 28-year-old laboratory technician due to a suspected pneumonic plague infection in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Russia has sparked concerns worldwide. Historically known as the Black Death, which caused millions of deaths in Europe during the 14th century, the plague has again come into focus as countries monitor the developments in Russia closely over its possible outbreak.

What Is Plague?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines plague as a serious infectious disease or zoonotic disease caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. This bacteria is normally found in small mammals and their fleas. Humans can catch infection through the bite of infected fleas, contact with infected animals or tissues, or breathing in infected respiratory droplets.

While it is mostly found in animals, human plague continues to occur in some countries. According to WHO, most of such cases have been from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar in recent years. In humans, symptoms generally appear within one to seven days after infection. However, pneumonic plague can develop much faster.

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Different Types Of Plague

The WHO classifies plague into three different types which are bubonic, pneumonic and Septicaemic. Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague which usually occurs after the bite of an infected flea. The bacteria travel through the lymphatic system to a nearby lymph node leading to swelling which is called bubo. This plague usually does not spread from person to person.

Pneumonic Plague: This type of plague affects the lungs and is the most dangerous and contagious form of plague. It develops when plague bacteria spread to the lungs from another form of the disease, or after inhaling infectious respiratory particles.

Symptoms appear very quickly and include cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain and sometimes blood-stained sputum. A person with pneumonic plague can spread the infection to others through respiratory particles. If not treated early, it can become fatal very quickly.

Septicaemic Plague: This plague occurs when Y pestis spreads and multiplies rapidly in the bloodstream. It can develop from bubonic or pneumonic plague.

Which Is The Most Severe Form?

Pneumonic and septicaemic plague are considered the most severe forms of plague. Pneumonic plague is especially dangerous as it can spread directly from person to person through respiratory particles.

Treatment Of Plague

Plague can be treated successfully with antibiotics. However, early diagnosis is extremely important. It becomes more urgent in cases of pneumonic plague as the disease can become severe within a short time. People infected with pneumonic plague also need to follow precautions to prevent the infection from spreading to others.

People can get infected through bites of an infected flea, contact with infected animals, animal tissues or body fluids, inhaling respiratory particles from a person with pneumonic plague.

How To Prevent Plague?

According to WHO, prevention mainly involves avoiding contact with infected animals, fleas and infected tissues. People should avoid direct contact with infected body fluids and tissues and follow health authorities’ advice when plague is present in the area.

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