Outbreak- How to tell it is plague
Dec 13, 2010
PLAGUE, an infectious disease of animals and humans, has hit northern Uganda. This is the fourth time the disease has struck Uganda in 30 years. Cases of human plague have been recorded on three occasions.
By Conan Businge
PLAGUE, an infectious disease of animals and humans, has hit northern Uganda. This is the fourth time the disease has struck Uganda in 30 years. Cases of human plague have been recorded on three occasions.
In 1982 there were about 153 cases and of these three died, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In 1986 there were 340 and 27 died, and in 1993 there were 167 cases with 18 dying.
In 1998, there were fears that the plague had hit Arua district, with about 49 cases of mysterious deaths reported in health units and homes.
Last week, the health ministry confirmed that the plague had hit Kitgum district. The district has had about 20 cases, according to latest medical reports. “One of the infected people died from St. Joseph Hospital on the morning on December 3.
Nine people have been reported dead. By Friday last week, another case had been admitted in Kitgum at St. Joseph Hospital and two others at Kalongo Hospital in Pader.
An isolation unit with 24 hours ambulance service and burial team have been put in place in the affected areas. The ministry is also stocking health units with the adequate essential medicines and supplies.
How is plague spread?
People usually get it after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an infected animal. Antibiotics are used to treat the disease, but if an infected person is not treated promptly, it is likely to cause illness or death.
In humans, plague has three forms, bubonic plague (infection of the lymph glands) septicemia plague (infection of the blood), and pneumonic plague (infection of the lungs). Pneumonic plague is the most contagious because it can spread through airborne droplets.
Laboratory exposure to plague bacteria can also spread the infection.
Signs and symptoms
The lymph nodes swell, causing painful lumps. This is characteristic of bubonic plague. Other symptoms are fever, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people get gastrointestinal symptoms.
If bubonic plague goes untreated, the bacteria can multiply in the bloodstream and produce severe blood infection. Signs and symptoms include fever, chills, tiredness, abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding in the skin and other organs. If untreated septicemia plague is usually fatal.
Pneumonic plague develops when bacteria infect the lungs. People with plague pneumonia have high fever, chills, difficult breathing, cough and bloody sputum.
Pneumonic plague is considered a public health emergency because a cough can quickly spread the disease. Untreated pneumonic plague is usually fatal.
When symptoms manifest
They begin within two to six days after exposure to the plague bacteria.
Treatment
If diagnosed in time, plague is treatable with antibiotics. Treatment of suspected plague cases should start as soon as possible after the laboratory specimens are taken. Streptomycin is usually administered, but several other antibiotics are also effective.
Who is at risk?
People who live in rural areas where plague occurs in rodents.
Biologists, trappers and hunters, who handle infected animals.
Campers, hikers and travellers in plague-infested areas.
People in close contact with pneumonic plague patients.
Prevention
Eliminate food and shelter for rodents.
Remove brush, rock piles, junk, and food sources, including pet food.
Allow health authorities to use appropriate and licensed insecticides to kill fleas during plague outbreaks.
Treat pets for fleas regularly.
Avoid sick or dead animals, and report such animals to the health department.
Preventive treatment with antibiotics is recommended.
PLAGUE, an infectious disease of animals and humans, has hit northern Uganda. This is the fourth time the disease has struck Uganda in 30 years. Cases of human plague have been recorded on three occasions.
In 1982 there were about 153 cases and of these three died, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In 1986 there were 340 and 27 died, and in 1993 there were 167 cases with 18 dying.
In 1998, there were fears that the plague had hit Arua district, with about 49 cases of mysterious deaths reported in health units and homes.
Last week, the health ministry confirmed that the plague had hit Kitgum district. The district has had about 20 cases, according to latest medical reports. “One of the infected people died from St. Joseph Hospital on the morning on December 3.
Nine people have been reported dead. By Friday last week, another case had been admitted in Kitgum at St. Joseph Hospital and two others at Kalongo Hospital in Pader.
An isolation unit with 24 hours ambulance service and burial team have been put in place in the affected areas. The ministry is also stocking health units with the adequate essential medicines and supplies.
How is plague spread?
People usually get it after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an infected animal. Antibiotics are used to treat the disease, but if an infected person is not treated promptly, it is likely to cause illness or death.
In humans, plague has three forms, bubonic plague (infection of the lymph glands) septicemia plague (infection of the blood), and pneumonic plague (infection of the lungs). Pneumonic plague is the most contagious because it can spread through airborne droplets.
Laboratory exposure to plague bacteria can also spread the infection.
Signs and symptoms
The lymph nodes swell, causing painful lumps. This is characteristic of bubonic plague. Other symptoms are fever, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people get gastrointestinal symptoms.
If bubonic plague goes untreated, the bacteria can multiply in the bloodstream and produce severe blood infection. Signs and symptoms include fever, chills, tiredness, abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding in the skin and other organs. If untreated septicemia plague is usually fatal.
Pneumonic plague develops when bacteria infect the lungs. People with plague pneumonia have high fever, chills, difficult breathing, cough and bloody sputum.
Pneumonic plague is considered a public health emergency because a cough can quickly spread the disease. Untreated pneumonic plague is usually fatal.
When symptoms manifest
They begin within two to six days after exposure to the plague bacteria.
Treatment
If diagnosed in time, plague is treatable with antibiotics. Treatment of suspected plague cases should start as soon as possible after the laboratory specimens are taken. Streptomycin is usually administered, but several other antibiotics are also effective.
Who is at risk?
People who live in rural areas where plague occurs in rodents.
Biologists, trappers and hunters, who handle infected animals.
Campers, hikers and travellers in plague-infested areas.
People in close contact with pneumonic plague patients.
Prevention
Eliminate food and shelter for rodents.
Remove brush, rock piles, junk, and food sources, including pet food.
Allow health authorities to use appropriate and licensed insecticides to kill fleas during plague outbreaks.
Treat pets for fleas regularly.
Avoid sick or dead animals, and report such animals to the health department.
Preventive treatment with antibiotics is recommended.