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The Bubonic plague is one of the most terrifying diseases in human history. It’s responsible for more than 100 million cases of the disease across recorded history. In the past, it has killed more people than any other pandemic – and it’s still going strong today. Even though we have seen some declines in its lethality, there are still many plague-ridden areas all over the world. The bubonic plague is a bacterial infection that affects both animals and humans. While there are several variations of this disease, they all have similar symptoms: fever, headache, weakness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and spots on the skin known as buboes or black flecks (oftentimes mistaken for stage 4 kidney failure.) The bubonic plague was first described in 1347 by a French physician named Guillaume de Béthune who observed sore lymph nodes in rats and mice after they had been bitten by fleas from an infected cat. The Black Death is another example of a Bubonic plague pandemic that killed one third of Europe’s population during the 14th century.
What is the bubonic plague?
The bubonic plague is caused by the infection of the rat lungworm, Yersinia pestis. The fleas that carry the bacteria are the same ones that transmit typhus, and they bite both humans and rats, but humans are far more susceptible than rats. The bacteria infect the bloodstream and travel to the lymphatic system, causing swollen lymph nodes. About 1 out of every 10 humans will develop the characteristic bubonic plague lesions, but the disease is not usually fatal without the help of others. Humans are the only known animal to get the plague, and it is spread when fleas bite an infected person and then bite another person. This can be prevented by preventing rats from being in close proximity to humans, such as in their homes or in the streets where there are traffic rats.
The Black Death
The Black Death was a pandemic that began in Central Asia in the mid-14th century and eventually reached Europe, Africa, and India. The pandemic killed between one third and one half of Europe’s population. There are multiple theories as to what caused the pandemic, including a bad harvest, war, and climate change. The plague also traveled to the Americas and killed millions of indigenous people there. The plague was identified for the first time in the mid-16th century by scholars who noticed lesions and black flecks on the skin and in the tissue of rats who had been exposed to an infected flea.
The Spanish flu – an early example of the plague
The Spanish flu was a pandemic that occurred during the First World War and infected millions of people across the globe. It is considered to be the first example of the plague in human history. The pandemic started in China in late 1918 and quickly spread around the world. The Spanish flu killed 50 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1920.
The flea-borne typhus – where the plague is contracted
The flea-borne typhus is caused by bacteria called Borrelia, which is the same bacteria that causes the bubonic plague. However, the bacteria don’t cause the same symptoms as the bubonic plague. The flea that transmits this bacteria bites humans and other mammals, including large carnivores such as wild dogs. Humans become infected when they get bite wounds on their skin, which then allows the bacteria to enter their bodies. This can happen in several ways: walking barefoot in an area where fleas are present; being bitten by an infected flea; touching an infected person or animal. Humans infected with the flea-borne typhus usually have a high fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and a red rash covering the body. Left untreated, the illness can be fatal.
Why is the plague so deadly?
There are multiple reasons why the plague is so deadly. First, the bacteria that cause the disease alter the human body so that it has a difficult time fighting off the illness. Second, people are naturally immune to the bacteria that cause the bubonic plague, which means that they can’t defend themselves against the infection. And third, the symptoms of the plague are so alarming that people often don’t seek medical help, which can make the disease even more deadly.
How do you get the bubonic plague?
The bubonic plague is transmitted when an infected person comes into contact with a bite wound on the skin of an infected person or with infected droppings from infected rats. The plague can also be transmitted by direct contact with a contaminated object, such as a piece of clothing or a knife that was handled by an infected person. The plague can also be transmitted between humans through sexual contact or through contaminated food or water.
Control Measures for Plague Prevention in Humans
The best prevention against the plague is to prevent rats from entering your home and eating your food. Avoid storing food in areas where rats can access it. Make sure there are no holes or weaknesses in your home’s structure where rats can enter it. And make sure that your home is clean and free of any food or garbage.
Conclusion
The bubonic plague is one of the most deadly diseases in human history. It has killed more people than any other pandemic, including the Black Death. The plague is caused by a bacteria that gets transmitted through rats and fleas. It can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected person, through a bite wound on the skin, or through contaminated food or water. The best prevention against the plague is to prevent rats from entering your home and eating your food. Avoid storing food in areas where rats can access it. Make sure there are no holes or weaknesses in your home’s structure where rats can enter it. And make sure that your home is clean and free of any food or garbage.