US citizen dies from the plague less than 24 hours after showing symptoms
An Arizona resident has died after contracting the plague - here’s everything you need to know about the bacterial disease, which caused one of the most fatal pandemics in human history.
Last week, officials of the Coconino County Health and Human Services confirmed the first plague death in Arizona in almost a decade.
The deceased, whose identity is being shielded ‘out of respect’ for their family, attended a medical institution exhibiting pneumonic plague symptoms and died the same day, according to official reports.
Health experts confirm that despite the death, the risk of public exposure remains low.
What is the plague?
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The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
It spreads naturally among rodents like rats via the transfer of fleas, CNN Health reported.
The infection usually comes in three common forms. The first is the septicemic plague, a severe illness that sees bacteria multiplying in your bloodstream, leading to a systemic infection.
Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague and is caused by the bite of an infected flea, the World Health Organisation (WHO) detailed.
The third and final type is the pneumonic plague. This severe lung infection usually develops if bubonic or septicemic plague is not treated.
How many people did the plague kill?
In the mid-1300s, an illness dubbed the ‘Black Death’ originated in Asia and quickly spread to Europe by fleas living on ships ferrying goods between the two continents.
The first recorded case of the Black Death in England was in June 1348, eventually wiping out a third of the country’s population.
It’s thought that approximately two or three million people died after contracting the plague, but some historians argue it was more, while others claim it was less.
Unlike in the past, if you contract the common bacterial infection now, you can easily be treated with antibiotics.
An average of seven human plague cases are reported each year in the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
What are common plague symptoms?
It’s worth knowing which symptoms are related to which type of plague so that you can inform a medical practitioner immediately if you believe you need assistance.
Bubonic plague symptoms
Fever, headaches, chills, feeling weak and suffering from swollen, painful lymph nodes are all signs and symptoms that you’re infected with the bubonic plague.
Septicemic plague symptoms
Septicemic plague sufferers will also experience fever, chills and extreme weakness.
However, more prominent symptoms such as abdominal pain, skin and tissues turning black, and shock may also accompany.
Pneumonic plague symptoms
Those who have contracted the pneumonic plague will, like the other forms of plague, develop fever, headaches, and feel very weak.
You’re also likely to rapidly develop pneumonia and experience shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery mucus, as per the CDC.
What do we know about the US citizen's plague death?
Health officials confirmed on 11 July that a northern Arizona resident had died from pneumonic plague at the Flagstaff Medical Centre Emergency Department.
The unnamed person died on the same day that they arrived at the medical institution, Northern Arizona Healthcare said in a statement.
However, it remains unclear when the death occurred.
According to CNN Health, this death in Coconino County is the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007.
The last death occurred when an individual had an interaction with a dead animal infected with the disease, according to county officials.
"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased," Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman said in a statement.
"We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released."
In the wake of the anonymous person’s death, the hospital has released a statement inviting others who are experiencing pneumonic plague symptoms to contact their medical provider.
"NAH would like to remind anyone who suspects they are ill with a contagious disease to contact their health care provider. If their illness is severe, they should go to the Emergency Department and immediately ask for a mask to help prevent the spread of disease while they access timely and important care," the hospital said, as per NBC News.
Flagstaff Medical Centre Emergency Department is working with the Coconino County Health and Human Services Department and the Arizona Department of Health Services to investigate the case, the outlet confirmed.
Ella Scott