Confirmed Case of Bubonic Plague in Oregon Raises Concerns
A rare case of the bubonic plague, a disease that wreaked havoc in the Middle Ages, has been reported in Oregon, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of the infamous contagion. However, officials are assuring the public that there is no cause for alarm.
The infected person contracted the plague from their house cat, according to authorities in Deschutes County, Central Oregon. Prompt action was taken, with officials contacting and providing medicine to all close contacts of the person and their cat. The infected individual was diagnosed and treated early on, posing little risk to the community.
While the bubonic plague may evoke images of a devastating pandemic that wiped out millions in the Middle Ages, experts say there is little cause for concern today. Dr. Robert Bollinger, an infectious diseases expert from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, explains that isolated cases of bubonic plague are not uncommon and are treatable if caught early enough.
In fact, the Oregon case is consistent with the handful of cases that pop up annually in the United States. Bollinger states that between five and ten cases are reported each year, a trend that has remained relatively stable for many decades.
The bubonic plague is one of three forms in which the bacteria Yersinia pestis can cause disease in humans. The bubonic form, characterized by swollen glands, is the most common. Another more severe form triggers severe pneumonia, which has historically been associated with major outbreaks. However, this form is less contagious than COVID-19 or influenza. The third form, septicemic plague, occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
Unlike COVID-19, bubonic plague is not directly transmissible between humans. It is transmitted through fleas or contacts from an infected animal to a human. This explains why the disease devastated Europe in the 1300s but poses little threat to humans in modern times. Bollinger explains that people in the Middle Ages lived in close quarters with rodents, creating an ideal environment for the plague to jump between animals and humans. Nowadays, unless someone has unusually close contact with rodents, the risk is minimal.
Furthermore, advancements in treatment have vastly improved outcomes for bubonic plague cases. Bollinger emphasizes that there are now highly effective antibiotics available, making the disease very treatable if caught early. With proper treatment, an infection can clear up over a period of weeks.
Authorities in Deschutes County have stated that this recent case is the first in Oregon since 2015. Squirrels and chipmunks are believed to be the most likely carriers of the disease in central Oregon, although mice and other rodents can also be infected. The Four Corners area, comprising New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, sees the highest concentration of cases in the United States due to its rodent populations.
To prevent the spread of the plague, Deschutes County Health Services advises discouraging house cats from hunting rodents and avoiding contact with dead rodents. They also recommend against feeding squirrels, chipmunks, and rodents and suggest wearing long pants tucked into boots to avoid fleas.
While the news of a confirmed case of bubonic plague may be unsettling, it is important to remember that the disease is now highly manageable and isolated cases are not cause for widespread concern. With proper precautions and awareness, the risk of contracting bubonic plague remains minimal in today’s world.
