Plague

What is plague?

Plague is a severe disease caused by an infection with a type of bacteria that is found in rodents and transmitted to man by fleas. Plague can exist in different forms in people and can require strict isolation and disinfection procedures. The disease is relatively rare in the United States and is limited to the west and southwestern parts of the country.

People working or visiting areas with infected rodents are at greater risk of contracting this disease. There have been no reports of plague in New York State.

The most common means of transmission is by exposure to infected fleas. Other important sources include the handling of tissues from infected animals (especially rabbits or rodents), airborne droplets from humans or household pets with plague pneumonia or by laboratory exposure.

The initial symptom is usually a swollen, inflamed and tender Iymph gland in the body near where the infected flea bit the person. Fever is usually present. The disease may progress to a generalized blood infection that may result in pneumonia. People with pneumonic plague may transmit the disease to other people when coughing.

Symptoms usually begin within one to six days after exposure to the plague bacteria.

Immunity after plague recovery is variable, and may not provide complete protection.

Certain antibiotics such as streptomycin, tetracyclines and chloramphenicol are effective in treating the disease.

The patient, his/her clothing and baggage should be treated to kill all fleas that may be attached. Patients with pneumonic plague should be quarantined until three full days of antibiotic treatment have been administered. When human or animal cases have been identified, efforts to control the rodent and flea populations by the use of rodenticides and insecticides should be used.

New York State Department of Health

Send questions or comments to: nyhealth@health.state.ny.us
Revised: February 1999

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