The earliest reporting of the Bubonic plague, also known as the “Black Death”, dates back to 1347, via land and sea trade routes of the ancient Silk Road. When rat filled ships arrived at the harbors of Europe, people came to welcome the sailors home. They soon realized most of them were dead and the rest were dying. By the time authorities ordered the ships to be moved it was too late. The disease had already spread started working its way through Europe and it did not discriminate. Victims have been anywhere from …show more content…
The flea passes this bacteria to its offspring. A female flea can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime. It is easy to understand why the epidemic was so difficult to get under control. Although people most commonly get the plague virus from being bitten by a flea that has been infected by a small rodent, it is also possible to get it from being in contact with infected tissue or fluids of an animal with the bacteria. When treating patients, doctors and nurses should consider the plague in any patient with clinical signs of plague and recent history of travel to western United States or any other playing endemic area. The bubonic plague it is the most common primary manifestation. Symptoms can include fever, aches, vomiting in inability to keep food down, skin covered in black boils oozing pus and blood and swollen, tender lymph nodes (buboes). A person usually comes I will bubonic plague 2 to 6 days after being infected. Someone exposed to your Yersina pestis through the air would become ill within 1 to 3 days. The recommended treatment for patients, in the United States, suffering from the disease is Gentamicin and fluoroquinolones through IV therapy as soon as plague is suspected and for 10-14 day or until fever stops. Sometimes oral therapy is consented if the patients begins to recover. If the bubonic plague is not …show more content…
Plague is now commonly found in areas of Africa and Madagascar areas which account for over 95% of reported cases. In the 1980’s there was a lot of controversy with scientist about the plague. They blamed the deaths on anthrax and typhus. The French put these rumors to rest in the early 2000’s by inspecting the bodies of 20 victims from the grave. Yersina pestis was found in each of their teeth.
There are several ways to prevent the plague from striking havoc again. It is important to reduce rodent habitat around your home, work place, and recreational areas. Remove brush, junk, and any possible source of food for rodents from the outdoor areas around your home. Wear gloves when handling or skinning any potentially infected animal. Use repellent when you think you could be exposed to rodent fleas during activities. Keep fleas off of pets and do not allow animals that roam free out doors on immediate furniture. There is not currently a vaccination for the plague but have been said to be in the making.
In conclusion, the increase of technology makes the plague is highly unlikely to be fatal now. However, regardless of the new developments in medicine, the risks of an outbreak still persist