The plague is as deadly today as in the Middle Ages
Most people have only heard of the plague as the disease that ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages. But it's still around today, such as in Madagascar, and just as lethal as ever.
The contemporary plague, as exemplified by Paul Gaylord's case, exhibits the same deadly potential as during the Middle Ages. Bacteria yersinia pestis, transmitted primarily by fleas, can swiftly escalate into a lethal infection. If untreated, the plague carries a near 100% fatality rate. Globally, 3,000 cases were reported between 2010 and 2015, with over 500 fatalities.
Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the western United States, including Oregon, have experienced occasional outbreaks. The plague's lethality stems from its ability to damage tissue, induce bleeding, and potentially spread via inhalation in the form of pneumonic plague. The last reported flea-born plague cases in Europe were in France and Italy in 1945.
Modern diagnostic capabilities, coupled with effective antibiotics, provide hope, yet timely diagnosis remains a critical challenge. In the past, homes often shared space with rats, facilitating the spread of the disease, a situation that's absent today. Despite this, research indicates certain rat species may have developed a degree of tolerance to the plague.
However, effective treatment hinges on prompt identification, a challenge exacerbated by Madagascar's logistical hurdles in delivering necessary antibiotics. Hollger Scholz, a molecular biologist at the RKI, remains optimistic about preventing a fourth plague pandemic, attributing this to the disease's decreased transmissibility compared to airborne viruses.
Nevertheless, Scholz emphasizes the importance of addressing bioterrorism concerns associated with the plague.
Written by urgent.news from Deutsche Welle Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
