The rise in previously extinct diseases in the US is getting out of hand at this point. We’ve seen measles make a comeback, and now even the plague has reared its horrible bubonic head again in Arizona.
The plague we all know is from the medieval era and is known as the bubonic plague. However, other forms are still kicking around today. In the US, there are around 7 reported cases a year. However, nobody has died from it since 2007.
In this unlikely case, a man from Arizona checked himself into a hospital suffering from plague conditions. He was already very unwell, having made the two-hour drive to the hospital. And, despite the best efforts of hospital staff, he died on the same day of arrival.
During their testing, it was discovered that the man was infected with Yersinia pestis, a bacterium that causes plague. Medical professionals confirmed that he had contracted pneumonic plague. This is what had finally killed him. It attacks the lungs, causing infection.
Time to Call The Plague Doctor
The plague is an incredibly rare disease, and even more unlikely to be fatal. In most cases, people are able to catch it early on and be treated. However, it was too late for this Arizona man.
The plague is usually passed onto humans from rodents. It is especially common in prairie dogs. Their colonies can often harbor the disease, spreading it to other wildlife. The fleas from these animals can then come in contact with domestic animals, such as cats and dogs. From here, the disease is transmitted to humans.
Anyone who believes they may have contracted the plague or any other kind of infectious disease should visit their closest healthcare provider. However, it is important to wear a mask to ensure that any droplet spread disease is minimised.
It’s unlikely that this case will be the beginning of anything more than a singular isolated case. However, there has been a rise in measles in the US, which was previously declared extinct in the country.
We just can’t seem to catch a break.