A human case of bubonic plague, the disease responsible for the Black Death in the Middle Ages, has been detected in Oregon, United States, local health authorities announced. This infection, rare and treatable in developed countries, can be fatal if not treated in time.
The patient was probably contaminated by his cat. He is being treated and his relatives have received preventative medication, said Dr. Richard Fawcett, county health officer.
Symptoms of plague appear up to eight days after contact with an infected animal or flea. They include fever, nausea, weakness, chills and muscle pain. Bubonic plague can turn into septicemic or pulmonary plague, which are more severe.
“This case was identified and treated quickly, which limits the risks to the community,” reassured the authorities in a press release. “No other cases of plague were found during the investigation,” they added. In the United States, there are an average of seven cases of plague per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Oregon, the last case dates back to 2015, according to the health administration of this state of 4.2 million inhabitants.
 Pascal Lemontel
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15/02/2024 | 
