Plague is a bacterial infection that can be deadly. The disease occurs naturally after a bite by an infected flea or from handling or eating an infected animal. Governments have studied the bacteria's use as a germ-warfare weapon. As a weapon, it would be released in the air. There are several types of plague, depending on where the exposure and symptoms occur:
Yersinia pestis causes the infection. It is spread by droplets in the air. People can catch pneumonic plague from face-to-face contact with someone who has the disease. Bubonic and septicemic plague, without respiratory complications, are not spread from person-to-person.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for plague include:
Symptoms depend on the type of plague. They occur in naturally-acquired cases within two to eight days. Plague can progress within a few days and cause sepsis , meningitis, or death. Experts expect the first symptoms after a biological attack would appear within a couple of days. People would be expected to die soon after the first symptoms occurred.
Symptoms of pneumonic plague include:
Symptoms of bubonic plague:
Symptom of pharyngeal plague:
Symptoms of septicemic plague and progression of other forms:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and possible source of exposure, and perform a physical exam. Other cases in the area may alert healthcare workers of the possibility of a bioterrorism attack.
Test may include:
Starting antibiotics early is essential. Any delay greatly increases the risk of death. The drugs are injected in a muscle or given through a vein. Later in treatment, some drugs can be given by mouth. A patient with lung symptoms will be placed in isolation to protect others. Caregivers and visitors should wear a mask, gloves, goggles, and a gown. Lymph nodes may require draining. Cases are reported to public health officials.
Any of the following antibiotics may be used:
Health professionals will monitor the patient for changes in status and take appropriate action. Maintaining adequate heart function, blood pressure, and oxygen supply are of prime importance.
Antibiotics may prevent infection following close contact with someone who has the disease. The drugs should be taken daily while in contact, and for seven days after the last exposure. In addition, the caregiver and patient should wear masks.
Antibiotics may be ordered in the event of a terrorism exposure. People may be placed on the drugs after developing a cough. There would be no warning systems to alert authorities that plague bacteria had been released. The success of an attack would depend on the bacteria's quality and strain, the way it was produced, and weather conditions at the time of release. A vaccine does not exist for pneumonic plague.
Measures to prevent naturally-occurring plague include:
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
Johns Hopkins' Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR)
http://www.hopkins-cepar.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Communicable Disease Control Unit (Manitoba Health, Public Health Branch)
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/index.html
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
References:
AAP 2000 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases . 25th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2000.
Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Consensus statement, plague as a biological weapon: Medical and public health management. JAMA. 2000.
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 5th ed. Churchill Livingstone, Inc; 2000.
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 6th ed. Churchill Livingstone, Inc; 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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