Due to the Black Death, one third of Europe’s entire population died between 1347 and 1369. Now, that Black Death has been found in Oregon. Oregon health officials in Portland consider that a man in a Bend hospital has been infected with the “black death” plague, a bacterial infection that affects the blood stream. The 50 year old man was bitten on the hand on June 2 by a stray cat while trying to get a mouse out of its mouth.

The Black Death, a strain of bubonic plague that destroyed nearly one third of Europe’s entire population between 1347 and 1369. The Black Death originated in rats specially in black rats. The disease was spread by the fleas that infested their bodies. When the fleas bit humans during this period, humans affected by the bacteria and they were about to die. That time, modern medicines were rare. Without the help of modern medicine, Europeans in the Middle Ages could do little to combat the plague. Due to lack of modern medicines at that time, most people died.

However, Bubonic plague victims feel excruciating symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, weakness and swollen nodes in the neck, armpit or groin. Even year, seven cases of the Black Plague are found roughly in the U.S. particularly in the West and the South West. But, now the bacterium is considered less fatal than it once was. Now the disease can be treated with antibiotics.

DeBess said, “Taking a mouse out of a cat’s mouth is probably not a good idea. It’s not clear whether the man was bitten by the mouse or by the cat. People should be cautious around strays and should not handle wild animals.”

The man is being treated with antibiotics. Other members of his family have been given a preventative dose, because the disease can be spread among people through bodily fluids. Health officials advise pet owners to protect their cats and dogs against fleas by giving them topical treatments or using a flea collar. The treatments are not 100 percent effective, but they do diminish the chances of pets becoming infected.

Whatever it is, it’s all about public health and massive epidemic. So, be safe and keep others safe.

Source : Oregonlive

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