BUBONIC PLAGUE (BLACK DEATH)

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria known as Yersinia pestis

In the Middle Ages, plague was known as the "Black Death" and caused the death of 60% of
the population of Europe.

Transmission occurs via fleas that feed on infected animals, typically wild rodents.

The disease arrived in western Europe in 1347 and in England in 1348. It faded away in the
early 1350s.

DIAGNOSIS
Bubonic plague is the most common
primary manifestation, with a bubo usually
occurring in the groin, axilla or cervical
nodes. Buboes are often so painful that
patients are generally guarded and have
restricted movement in the affected region.

Diagnosis is made by taking samples from

the patient, especially blood or part of a
swollen lymph gland, and submitting them
for laboratoryBegin
TREATMENT: testing.
appropriate IV therapy
PREVENTION:
as soon as plague is suspected. Gentamicin

TREATMENT&PREVENTI
Eliminate nesting places for rodents and fluoroquinolones are typically first-line
Wear gloves if you must handle sick or treatments

ON dead animals

dead animals
THE BLACK DEATH
Duration of treatment is 10 to 14 days, or
Wear gloves if you must handle sick or until 2 days after fever subsides. Oral therapy
may be substituted once the patient
 Yersinia pestis

DISEASE
PROGRESSION

The bubonic plague: this is

the most common form (90%).
It has an incubation period of
1 week with acute onset of
illness including high fever,
chills, headache, Mental confusion results from
myalgia, nausea, vomiting and the development of toxemia.
in severe cases, prostration.

Development of matter,
tender buboes which
suppurate in 1-2 weeks.
Petechiae, ecchymosis and
bleeding from the
gastrointestinal tract may also
occur

CHAIN OF
Portal of Exit: Through the
blood meal of a flea that has
Infectious agent-Yersinia
pestis
INFECTION
fed on an infected rodent.
Portal of entry: Yersinia
pestis usually enters the
human body through a break
in the skin via a flea bite or
an abrasion.

Reservoir: The black rat is

capable of carrying Yersinia
pestis and is credited with
carrying the bacteria over
long distances by ship.

Transmission: Through
the bite of a flea that has fed
on an infected rodent.

Vulnerable hosts: All non-

immune humans are
vulnerable to Yersinia
pestis.