The Plague
The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It predominantly affects the lymph nodes or lungs and can lead to severe blood poisoning. This disease is transmitted through contact with animals that carry the bacteria, such as rats, cats, dogs, and flies. The plague can be categorized into three main types: the most common and notorious being bubonic plague, which primarily impacts the lymphatic system; the less common but more lethal form is pneumonic plague; and the third type, septicemic plague, arises when the bacteria spread through the bloodstream.
Prevention of this disease involves avoiding contact with infected animals. If an individual shows symptoms of the plague, it is critical to seek medical attention immediately and utilize antibiotic treatment; failure to initiate treatment within six days can result in a 100% mortality rate.
Types of Plague
Bubonic Plague
- Characterized by swelling of the lymph nodes near the site of infection, often reaching diameters between 1-10 cm.
- The bacteria are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, with subsequent migration through the superficial lymphatic channels to the lymph nodes, where they proliferate, leading to bubonic plague.
- The incubation period for this form ranges from 15 to 67 days.
- Without treatment, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, resulting in ulcerations, hemorrhaging, and detrimental effects on multiple organ systems.
Pneumonic Plague
- This form occurs when the bacteria are inhaled, facilitating rapid transmission from an infected individual to others in close proximity. Due to this efficient mode of spread, pneumonic plague has the potential to be weaponized as a biological agent.
- The incubation period typically lasts between 2 to 4 days.
Septicemic Plague
- This type results from either bubonic or pneumonic plague when the bacteria proliferate in the bloodstream and subsequently affect multiple organ systems.
- Similar to bubonic plague, its incubation period ranges from 15 to 67 days.