Black Death

A serious, sometimes fatal, infection with the bacterial toxin Yersinia pestis, transmitted by fleas from infected rodents and characterized by high fever, weakness, and the formation of buboes, especially in the groin and armpits

Transmission & Vectors

usually fleas from infected rodents

Causes

infection with the bacterial toxin Yersinia pestis

Symptoms

After people catch the plague, the symptoms start 1-6 days later.
You feel very sick and weak and may have a fever, chills, and headaches.

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat plague. Oxygen, intravenous fluids, and respiratory support are usually also needed.

People with pneumonic plague must be kept away from caregivers and other patients.

Prognosis

When properly and quickly treated full recovery. Without treatment fatality rate is 98%

Sequela

Bubonic plague.

The most common type causes buboes, which are very swollen and painful lymph nodes under the arms, in the neck, or in the groin. Without treatment, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body.

Septicemic plague.

 

This type is more dangerous than bubonic plague. It’s when the bacteria have moved into the blood. Signs include: • Bleeding under the skin or from the mouth, nose, or bottom • Blackened skin, especially on the nose, fingers, and toes • Belly pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and shock

Pneumonic plague.

 

This is when the bacteria are in the lungs. It’s the rarest form of the disease. It’s deadly without treatment. It’s also very contagious because the plague can spread through the air when a person coughs. Symptoms include: • Cough, sometimes with blood • Trouble breathing • Nausea and vomiting

Affected Groups

humans

Hosts & Carriers

fleas, rodents etc. infected animals like cats, dogs, birds.

Prevention

• Do not touch a living or dead animal that might have been infected, (rat, mouse, squirrel, rabbit etc)
• wear a preventive surgeons mask
• prevent rodents from entering your home, make sure you live in a clean environment.
• Don’t let outdoor pets like sleep in your bed. Use bug repellent with DEET to prevent flea bites.
• Wear gloves if you have to touch wild animals, alive or dead.

Epidemiology

infected rodents are bitten by fleas and the disease travels to uninfected rodents, spreading the disease.

History

There have been three great world pandemics of plague recorded, in 541, 1347, and 1894 CE, each time causing devastating mortality of people and animals across nations and continents.

Cultural Reception

in the past victims where cast out and confined to specific areas until they died. Most dead where burned. During the pandemic, mass-graves where created out of necessity.

People with pneumonic plague must be kept away from caregivers and other patients.

Bubonic - buboes on skin
Septimic - Blood is infected
Pneumonic - Infection in the lungs

Type

Viral

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare