The Plague

Origins of Black Death

Spread of Black Death in Europe

Yersinia pestis

Rats & Fleas

BubonicSepticemicPneumonic

3 forms of plague

Bites from infected rodent fleas

Direct contact with infected tissue or bodily fluids

Inhaling infected droplets

Transmission

Bubonic: lymph system Pnuemonic: lungs Septicemic: blood

1-6 days symptoms appear

Incubation period

Mice Fleas Lice Prairie dogs Cats Dogs Squirrels Wood rats Chipmunks

Carriers

Do not pick up or touch dead animals. If plague has recently been found in your area, report any

observations of sick or dead animals to the local health department or law enforcement officials.

If you anticipate being exposed to rodent fleas, apply insect repellents to clothing and skin, according to label instructions, to prevent flea bites. Wear gloves when handling potentially infected animals.

Eliminate sources of food and nesting places for rodents around homes, work places, and recreation areas. Remove brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood, and potential food supplies (such as pet and wild animal food). Make your home rodent-proof.  

If you live in an area where rodent plague occurs, treat pet dogs and cats for flea control regularly, and do not allow pets to roam freely.  

Health authorities may use appropriate chemicals to kill fleas at selected sites during animal plague outbreaks.

Protection During Outbreaks

Types of Plague: Bubonic

Types of Plague: Septicemic

Symptoms

Fever Chills Weakness Abdominal pain Shock Bleeding underneath

the skin or other organs

Types of Plague: Pneumonic

BitesDirect ContactInhalation

Transmission

contributed to mass panic in cities & countries

displeasure of the gods supernatural powers heavenly disturbances

Innocent groups blamed for spreading plague & persecuted

Perspective on the History of Plague

History of the Plague Cure

Alexandre Yersin Shibasaburo Kitasato

History of the Plague Cure

Paul-Louis Simond Cycle of plague