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In addition to the ongoing spread and efforts to contain the Ebola virus there has been a re-emergence of a middle-ages bacterial disease known as Bubonic plague.
In 2011 the USA reported its first victim who was hospitalised, treated and discharged.
Recently China implemented quarantine measures after a man reportedly died of the bubonic plague, in addition to four people in Colorado USA also having been diagnosed with the disease who are said to be recovering. All four cases have been thought to be linked to the original man’s dog, which died from the illness after suspected of being exposed to plague-infected fleas from a prairie dog or rabbit.
In January this year it was reported that 40 people had died of the disease on the island of Madagascar. This illness is transmitted by the bites of infected fleas and is currently treated with antibiotics.
If bacteria reach the lungs pneumonia develops and the disease can then be transmitted from-person-to-person through infected droplets spread by coughing.
According to BBC News, black rats associated with bubonic plague have reappeared in parts of the U.K. Changes in weather patterns and increasing globalisation could bring back middle Ages diseases according to experts.
The species has the potential to multiply in areas of urban decay according to a spokesman for the Government’s Veterinary Association.
The Black Death was thought to be caused by the huge growth in the number of infected black rats living in close proximity to humans.
http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/29/return-of-the-black-death-ancient-bug-plagues-us-once-again-4281196/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/456831.stm
http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/bubonic-plague-could-return/
http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jul/25/plague-death-china-quarantine-yumen-city
