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Y. pestis pathogen

madikatev — 2024-07-20 14:34:59 UTC

Y. pestis is a zoonotic bacteria that causes Plagues. The two main plagues caused by Y. pestis are the Bubonic and Pneumonic plagues. Both of these specific plagues used to be more deadly than they are considered now. If treated quickly enough, the survival rate is high. Bubonic plague is also known as the "Black Death" since it killed millions from the 1300s to 1900s.

How it is Acquired and Who is at risk

madikatev — 2024-07-20 14:43:17 UTC

Y. pestis can be spread through small mammals and insects. Rats and mice are some of the main rodents that spread Y. pestis. Humans can contract Y. pestis by handling an infected animal or getting bitten by rats or fleas. Dogs can spread Y. pestis by getting bitten by a flea and then being handled by their owners. Y. pestis could also be transmitted through droplets into broken skin. Since rats, mice, and fleas can be found worldwide, anyone is susceptible, but it is now rare for someone to contract a plague.

Symptoms of the Bubonic Plague

madikatev — 2024-07-20 14:51:43 UTC

Some of the main symptoms of the Bubonic Plague are fever, chills, nausea, headache, and body aches. There are some more serious symptoms like seizures, gangrene, and opening of swollen buboes. Gangrene is usually found on the toes, fingers, lips, and nose. Symptoms of Pneumonic plague are rapidly developing pneumonia, chest pain, and cough. These symptoms can become fatal if not treated by a medical professional.

madikatev — 2024-07-20 14:52:26 UTC

Prevention

madikatev — 2024-07-20 14:57:10 UTC

Rodent-proofing your house would be a good start to preventing a rodent/flea bite. You should also treat your dogs for fleas to prevent the transmission of the Plague to them or yourself. Rodent-proofing your home is a good idea whether you are worried about the Plague or not. Rats could carry other diseases and spread them once inside your home. Rodent-proofing your home and treating your dogs is such a simple fix to a deadly disease.

Treatment

madikatev — 2024-07-20 15:04:35 UTC

The first line of defense against the Plague is antibiotics. Some antibiotics that treat the Bubonic Plague are Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Moxifloxacin. In some severe cases, you will be hospitalized and isolated. It is important to act quickly when you feel the symptoms or realize you have been exposed. If treated quickly, the survival rate averages about 85%. If not treated quickly, the death rate is higher than the survival rate.

Flea

madikatev — 2024-07-20 15:16:42 UTC

A flea can also spread Y. pestis to humans through the contamination of their household pets or getting into their homes in other ways. If you live in a more rural area this would be a more common way of the spread of the Plague.

madikatev — 2024-07-20 15:19:31 UTC

Prairie Dogs

madikatev — 2024-07-20 15:25:50 UTC

Prairie Dogs are also small mammals that can spread Y. pestis. Due to some cases in Colorado, this picture was posted to show how to know which ones and how to take precautions. A main precaution was dusting your household pets with insecticides to get any infected insects off your animals.

madikatev — 2024-07-20 15:28:11 UTC