Plague in the Modern Era

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the history of the plague, stating that the "Black Death" that gripped Medieval Europe was not the first reported incident of a plague epidemic, which was actually first recorded in AD 541. The paper also talks about the causes of these mass epidemics, which modern scientists now understand as being the living conditions in Medieval Europe, including overcrowded conditions and a lack of hygiene. However, as the paper analyzes, plagues are still found in modern times because the plague could be transmitted by almost any mammal, since fleas are pests that plague almost every mammal species. Specifically, this paper looks into the different transmission avenues of the plague virus, as well as the three different forms of the plague: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and septicemic plague and the symptoms of each. Furthermore, treatment regimes, geographic areas of infection and prevention techniques are discussed in this paper. All references for this paper are contained in the footnotes provided.

From the Paper:

"The treatment regime is the same, regardless of the type of plague involved. When plague is suspected, the patient is to be immediately isolated. A suspected plague diagnosis can be made from a combination of symptoms and risk factors. The risk factors include living in an area of known plague foci, contact with sick animals (including employment as a veterinarian or in a similar position), wilderness activity, fleabite, or recent plague in the community. Furthermore, a plague diagnosis triggers reporting requirements to certain health departments, including the Centers for Disease Control. The Centers for Disease Control reports plague incidents to the World Health Organization. Laboratory tests can confirm a plague diagnosis. Diagnostic tests include: a complete blood count, a urinalysis, arterial blood gas, peripheral smear looking for Y pestis coccobaccilus, gram stain, cultures of blood, sputum, and bubo aspirate, chest radiography, specialized diagnostic testing, a F1 antigen rapid diagnostic test, Y pestis fluorescent antibody stain, and a Y pestis fluorescent antibody titer."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Inglesby, T. et. al., 2000. Plague as a biological weapon. JAMA 283.17 (May): 2281-2290. On-line. Available from Internet, http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/283/17/2281, accessed 20 February 2008.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. 2006. Plague. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Rochestoer, MN: On-line. Available from Internet, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plague/DS00493, accessed 20 February 2008.
• Centers for Disease Control. 2005. Information on plague. Fort Collins, CO: On-line. Available from Internet, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/info.htm, accessed 19 February, 2008.
• Velendzas, D., S. Dufel, & T. McGovern. 2007. Plague. E-Medicine. Omaha, NE: On-line. Available from Internet, http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/fulltopic/topic428.htm#section~AuthorsandEditors, accessed 19 February 2008.

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