Bubonic plague, known for its role in the Black Death of the 14th century is an infamous disease nowadays but has caused the death of a large part of Europe in the 14th century. It is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Unusually, no vaccine is required to prevent this disease, but it is prevented by minimizing exposure to rats, mice, and squirrels.
History of Bubonic plague
The Black Death, a major outbreak of bubonic plague, happened between 1347 and 1351. It’s believed that it caused the deaths of 75 to 200 million people across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The plague spread really quickly because of trade routes and people moving around, with fleas carried by rats being the main carriers.
The symptoms of the bubonic plague during the Black Death were pretty scary. People infected would develop painful swellings, or buboes, in their lymph nodes,
Along with fever, chills, headache, and extreme tiredness. If left untreated, bubonic plague can have a mortality rate of 30% to 60%.
How is it transmitted?
Yersinia pestis is a type of bacteria that mainly infects rodents. Fleas that bite infected animals can spread the bacteria to humans. Once in the human body, the bacteria move to the lymphatic system, causing the well-known swollen lymph nodes, also known as buboes.
It does not spread from one person to another except if it has converted to one of its more severe other forms such as pneumonic plague where droplets in air can cause the disease.
Early symptoms
- Sudden Fever and Chills: High fever (often exceeding 39°C or 102.2°F) is one of the first signs.
- Headache: Severe and persistent headache is common.
- Muscle Aches: Generalized body pain and muscle aches can occur.
- Fatigue and Weakness: Extreme fatigue and a feeling of weakness are frequent initial symptoms.
Specific Symptoms of Bubonic Plague
Buboes:
- Swollen and painful lymph nodes, known as buboes, are the hallmarks of bubonic plague.
- These buboes typically develop in the groin, armpit, or neck, and can be as large as a chicken egg.
- The skin over the buboes may become red and tender.
Complications if the disease is left untreated
If the bubonic plague is not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body, leading to more severe forms of the disease:
Septicemic Plague:
- Occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
- Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding into the skin and other organs.
Pneumonic Plague:
- Occurs when the bacteria infect the lungs.
- Symptoms include severe respiratory distress, chest pain, cough, and bloody or watery sputum.
What are the main causes?
Bubonic Plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium and is mainly spread by fleas that have previously fed on infected rodents. When these fleas bite humans, they can transmit the disease. This type of illness is called a zoonotic disease because it can be passed from animals to humans.
Other causes are:
- Direct Contact with Infected Animals
- Inhalation of Infectious Droplets in case of pneumonic plague
- Contaminated Materials: touching contaminated materials can cause the disease.
Risk factors
Certain conditions and behaviors can increase the risk of contracting the bubonic plague:
Outdoor Activities:
- Camping and Hiking: Activities that increase exposure to rodent populations and their fleas can raise the likelihood of encountering infected fleas.
Poor Sanitation and Overcrowding:
- Living Conditions: Areas with poor sanitation, high rodent populations, and overcrowding are more prone to outbreaks, as these conditions facilitate the spread of fleas and rodents.
Occupational Hazards:
- Occupations Involving Animals: Veterinarians, hunters, and wildlife biologists who work closely with animals are at higher risk.
Treatment of Bubonic Plague and Fatality Rate Today
Courtesy of advancements in medical science, the fatality rate of this disease has dropped to 10% today. Some antibiotics that are used effectively to treat bubonic plague are:
- Streptomycin
- Tetracycline
- Chloramphenicol
- Gentamicin
- Doxycycline
The Legacy of the Bubonic Plague
The impact of the bubonic plague is pretty wide-ranging. The Black Death, especially, really shook up European society, causing labor shortages, economic turmoil, and big cultural and religious changes.
The Black Death made people realize the importance of understanding diseases and how they spread. This led to improvements in public health and medical research, which changed the way we deal with diseases.
Prevention from the disease
Following precautionary measures must be taken to prevent the bubonic plague:
- Minimize Exposure: Avoid close contact with wild rodents and their habitats. Do not handle sick or dead animals.
- Apply Repellents: Use insect repellents on skin and clothing to prevent flea bites. Products containing DEET or permethrin are effective.
- Wear Long Sleeves and Pants: When in areas with high rodent populations, wear long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.
- Maintain cleanliness: Keep living areas clean and free from food scraps and garbage that attract rodents.
- Clean Living Spaces: Keep living areas clean and free from food scraps and garbage that attract rodents.
Overall, by reducing contact with infected animals and fleas, maintaining cleanliness, and following public health guidelines, the risk of contracting the disease can be significantly minimized.
