WHAT IS PLAGUE? Three forms of plague are caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and septicemic plague.

Bubonic plague is passed from fleas to Photo Courtesy humans and animals. Bubonic plague Public Health Image Library affects the lymph nodes of an infected SYMPTOMS person. The symptoms of bubonic plague include fever, chills, and pain in the area of the lymph Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, nodes. Lymph nodes eventually enlarge and is the most serious form of plague. become bruised. A person with pneumonic Pneumonic plague is caused by inhalation plague will begin having symptoms of the of the bacteria that may be placed into the disease about one to three days after exposure air by aerosol release during a bioterrorism to the bacteria. Symptoms of pneumonic attack. Pneumonic plague can also be plague include fever, chills, cough, shortness transmitted from person-to-person. This of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood. transmission occurs when particles enter Muscle aches, weakness, and dizziness may the air after an infected person coughs or also occur. Lung problems usually begin on sneezes. People who travel may spread the the second day. The symptoms of septicemic disease due to the delay between the plague include fever, chills, exhaustion, exposure to the bacteria and the onset of abdominal pain, shock, and internal bleeding. symptoms. During this period of delay, these people are contagious and can infect TREATMENT others. Antibiotics should be given within 24 hours

after the first symptoms begin in order to Septicemic plague, which affects the blood prevent death. There are several types of system, is caused by the bite of fleas. medications that are available to treat Septicemic plague also occurs as a result of pneumonic plague. These include both oral either bubonic plague or pneumonic medications (tetracycline or fluoroquinolone) plague. and medications that can be injected (streptomycin or gentamicin). FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • How can I prevent myself from getting • Can I die from plague? plague? Plague is curable. Most patients usually There is not a vaccine available in the recover from plague. If treatment is not United States for plague, but research is provided within 24 hours after symptoms currently underway. begin, there is a higher possibility for death to • Is there any equipment I need to wear occur. that will prevent accidental exposure • Why are we concerned about pneumonic to pneumonic plague? plague as a bioweapon? No, special equipment does not need to With highly advanced knowledge and be purchased. Regular masks will be technology, Yersinia pestis, can be isolated and provided while a patient is in the grown in a laboratory by terrorists. Plague is hospital, as needed. treatable though, if medical care begins early.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Department of State Health Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.dshs.state.tx.us http://www.cdc.gov