New Bubonic Plague Cases in Mongolia: What You Need to Know
Authorities in Mongolia have confirmed two more cases of bubonic plague in the northern province of Khuvsgul. This raises the total number of bubonic plague cases in the country to three, as announced by the health ministry on Tuesday. The fresh infections popped up in the Tsagaan-Uul and Murun soums, which are like local districts. Doctors are treating the patients at the Khuvsgul provincial general hospital right now.
To stop the spread, health officials isolated 80 people who came into contact with those infected. These folks are getting checked and treated at nearby hospitals. It’s all part of Mongolia’s efforts to control this serious bacterial infection, often linked to rodents like marmots.
This outbreak comes after a sad incident earlier this month. On September 7, a 24-year-old herder in Tsagaan-Uul soum lost his life to bubonic plague. He had eaten meat from a marmot, a wild rodent that can carry the disease. Tragically, without quick treatment, bubonic plague can kill an adult in under 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Experts from the National Centre for Zoonotic Diseases warn that 17 out of Mongolia’s 21 provinces now face a risk of bubonic plague outbreaks. The disease spreads mainly through fleas on infected animals like marmots, rats, or squirrels. In humans, it causes bubonic plague symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and severe illness if not caught early.
A Quick History of the Black Death
You might know bubonic plague as the infamous Black Death. This deadly plague ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages, wiping out millions. Back in the 14th century, it killed over 25 million people—about two-thirds of Europe’s population at the time. Rats hitched rides on ships, carrying fleas and the plague bacteria with them. Victims often developed blackened tissue from gangrene, earning it the grim nickname "Black Death." No cure existed then, making it one of history’s worst pandemics.
The Black Death hit hardest from 1346 to 1353, but bubonic plague episodes have cropped up worldwide since. Today, it still appears in places like Africa, Asia, South America, and parts of North America. In the US, doctors see about seven plague cases each year on average. Interestingly, half of those involve people between 12 and 45 years old.
How to Prevent Bubonic Plague Today
The good news? Modern medicine has effective treatments like antibiotics, so most people recover if they get help fast. To avoid bubonic plague, steer clear of wild rodents and their fleas. Don’t eat or handle animals like marmots, and keep your home free of rats and mice. If you’re in a high-risk area like rural Mongolia, wear protective clothing and report any unusual animal deaths to health officials.
Mongolia’s health teams are on high alert, monitoring for more bubonic plague cases and educating locals on prevention. Stay informed about global health alerts, especially if you travel to affected regions. With quick action, we can keep this ancient killer in check.
