-
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Oct 1994
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Humans; India; Plague; Public Health; Travel
PubMed: 7950651
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.309.6959.893 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences Apr 2019Plague has a long history on the European continent, with evidence of the disease dating back to the Stone Age. Plague epidemics in Europe during the First and Second...
Plague has a long history on the European continent, with evidence of the disease dating back to the Stone Age. Plague epidemics in Europe during the First and Second Pandemics, including the Black Death, are infamous for their widespread mortality and lasting social and economic impact. Yet, Europe still experienced plague outbreaks during the Third Pandemic, which began in China and spread globally at the end of the nineteenth century. The digitization of international records of notifiable diseases, including plague, has enabled us to retrace the introductions of the disease to Europe from the earliest reported cases in 1899, to its disappearance in the 1940s. Using supplemental literature, we summarize the potential sources of plague in Europe and the transmission of the disease, including the role of rats. Finally, we discuss the international efforts aimed at prevention and intervention measures, namely improved hygiene and sanitation, that ultimately led to the disappearance of plague in Europe.
Topics: Animals; Disease Vectors; Europe; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Pandemics; Plague; Rats; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 30991930
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2429 -
BioMed Research International 2017Plague, in the Middle Ages known as Black Death, continues to occur at permanent foci in many countries, in Africa, Asia, South America, and even the USA. During the... (Review)
Review
Plague, in the Middle Ages known as Black Death, continues to occur at permanent foci in many countries, in Africa, Asia, South America, and even the USA. During the last years outbreaks were reported from at least 3 geographical areas, in all cases after tens of years without reported cases. The recent human plague outbreaks in Libya and Algeria suggest that climatic and other environmental changes in Northern Africa may be favourable for epidemiologic cycle. If so, other Northern Africa countries with plague foci also may be at risk for outbreaks in the near future. It is important to remember that the danger of plague reoccurrence is not limited to the known natural foci, for example, those of Algeria, Angola, and Madagascar. In a general context, it is important that governments know the dangerous impact that this disease may have and that the health and medical community be familiar with the epidemiology, symptoms, treatment, and control of plague, so an appropriated and timely response can be delivered should the worst case happen. Plague can be used as a potential agent of bioterrorism. We have concluded that plague is without a doubt a reemerging infectious disease.
Topics: Africa; Africa, Northern; Algeria; Asia; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Libya; Madagascar; Plague; South America; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 28904964
DOI: 10.1155/2017/5696542 -
Journal of Vector Borne Diseases 2022Fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) are important vectors of plague and murine typhus in many parts of the world. Currently, about 2700 flea species were described in the... (Review)
Review
Fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) are important vectors of plague and murine typhus in many parts of the world. Currently, about 2700 flea species were described in the world. The most common vector flea Xenopsylla cheopis is found throughout India, but X. astia, and X. brasiliensis are found less and limited in distribution associated with the domestic rats such as Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus, and Bandicota bengalensis. Bubonic plague is a major flea-borne disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, transmitted from rats to humans via the rodent flea, X. cheopis. A major outbreak of plague and high mortality occurred in India. After 1966 with the 3 decadal intervals, plague cases occurred only during the year 1994 reported in 5 different states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi and subsequently plague cases occurred during 2002 and 2004 after the one-decade interval in Himachal Pradesh (2002). Another outbreak of bubonic plague was reported in Dangud village, Barkhot tehsil, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand during October 2004. Ctenocephalides fleas are common in cats and dogs, which are the main vectors of bacteria rickettsiae, such as Rickettsia typhi, R. felis, R. conorii, and Bartonella henselae. Molecular and serological evidence also confirms the presence of R. typhi, R. conorii R. felis and B. henselae pathogens in cats and other fleas in India. Flea bites and flea-borne dermatitis are common in men and pet animals. Because of the re-emergence of the plague, updated information on fleas and flea-borne diseases are essential to control the flea vectors and flea-borne diseases in India. Hence, this comprehensive review updates the available information on fleas and fleas transmitted diseases in India.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Flea Infestations; Humans; India; Mice; Plague; Public Health; Rats; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 35708399
DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.328977 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 2016As a zoonosis, Plague is also an ecological entity, a complex system of ecological interactions between the pathogen, the hosts, and the spatiotemporal variations of its... (Review)
Review
As a zoonosis, Plague is also an ecological entity, a complex system of ecological interactions between the pathogen, the hosts, and the spatiotemporal variations of its ecosystems. Five reservoir system models have been proposed: (i) assemblages of small mammals with different levels of susceptibility and roles in the maintenance and amplification of the cycle; (ii) species-specific chronic infection models; (ii) flea vectors as the true reservoirs; (iii) Telluric Plague, and (iv) a metapopulation arrangement for species with a discrete spatial organization, following a source-sink dynamic of extinction and recolonization with naïve potential hosts. The diversity of the community that harbors the reservoir system affects the transmission cycle by predation, competition, and dilution effect. Plague has notable environmental constraints, depending on altitude (500+ meters), warm and dry climates, and conditions for high productivity events for expansion of the transmission cycle. Human impacts are altering Plague dynamics by altering landscape and the faunal composition of the foci and adjacent areas, usually increasing the presence and number of human cases and outbreaks. Climatic change is also affecting the range of its occurrence. In the current transitional state of zoonosis as a whole, Plague is at risk of becoming a public health problem in poor countries where ecosystem erosion, anthropic invasion of new areas, and climate change increase the contact of the population with reservoir systems, giving new urgency for ecologic research that further details its maintenance in the wild, the spillover events, and how it links to human cases.
Topics: Animals; Climate Change; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; Humans; Models, Biological; Plague; Public Health; Seasons; Siphonaptera; Species Specificity; Yersinia pestis; Zoonoses
PubMed: 27711205
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004949 -
American Journal of Public Health Mar 2021In this article, I explore the historical resonances between China's 1911 pneumonic plague and our current situation with COVID-19. At the turn of the 20th century,...
In this article, I explore the historical resonances between China's 1911 pneumonic plague and our current situation with COVID-19. At the turn of the 20th century, China was labeled "the Sick Man of the Far East": a once-powerful country that had become burdened by opium addiction, infectious disease, and an ineffective government. In 1911, this weakened China faced an outbreak of pneumonic plague in Manchuria that killed more than 60 000 people. After the 1911 plague, a revolutionized China radically restructured its approach to public health to eliminate the stigma of being "the Sick Man." Ironically, given the US mishandling of the COVID pandemic, observers in today's China are now calling the United States "the Sick Man of the West": a country burdened by opioid addiction, infectious disease, and an ineffective government. The historical significance of the phrase "Sick Man"-and its potential to now be associated with the United States-highlights the continued links between epidemic control and international status in a changing world. This historical comparison also reveals that plagues bring not only tragedy but also the opportunity for change.
Topics: COVID-19; China; Communicable Disease Control; Epidemics; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Plague; Politics; SARS-CoV-2; United States
PubMed: 33476233
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305960 -
BMC Veterinary Research Oct 2023Zoonotic diseases are like a sneaky game of "tag" between animals and humans, where the stakes are high and the consequences can be deadly. From the bubonic plague to...
Zoonotic diseases are like a sneaky game of "tag" between animals and humans, where the stakes are high and the consequences can be deadly. From the bubonic plague to COVID-19, zoonotic diseases have affected humanity for centuries, reminding us of our interconnectedness with the animal kingdom and the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent their spread. Whether it is avoiding contact with animals or practicing good hygiene, staying safe from zoonotic diseases is a game we all need to play.
Topics: Humans; Animals; COVID-19; Zoonoses; Plague
PubMed: 37789313
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03736-8 -
Medical History. Supplement 2008
Review
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Epidemics; Humans; Mammals; Plague; Siphonaptera; Terminology as Topic; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 18575085
DOI: No ID Found -
Bulletin of the New York Academy of... Oct 1974
Topics: England; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; Plague
PubMed: 4528811
DOI: No ID Found -
PLoS Medicine Jan 2008The authors argue that plague should be taken much more seriously by the international health community. (Review)
Review
The authors argue that plague should be taken much more seriously by the international health community.
Topics: Animals; Bioterrorism; Birds; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Endemic Diseases; Forecasting; Global Health; Humans; Insect Vectors; Mammals; Plague; Siphonaptera; Travel; Yersinia pestis; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
PubMed: 18198939
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0050003