The_Biblionic_Plague

The Bubonic Plague is a disease that has been called the Black Death because of the millions of people it killed in the Middle Ages. Even though it is not widespread today, the Plague still exists. In our modern society where we worry about biological warfare, the Plague may be considered a threat in countries where there is pollution. I have chosen to research the Plague because of its historical significance and the potential for it to be used as a weapon. The Bubonic Plague is caused by an infection of the Yersinia pestis bacterium. This bacterium survives in the guts of fleas which are often carried by rats, and in the American West by prairie dogs, squirrels, rabbits, and other small mammals. Humans catch the Bubonic Plague if they are bitten by an infected flea. The bacteria then enter the blood stream and reproduce in the lymph nodes of its victims. The Pneumonic form of the Plague is transferred by infected droplets from sneezing and coughing victims. Once inside the lungs, the Yersinia pestis bacteria reproduce rapidly. In the Septicemic form of the Plague, deep cuts with infected materials or untreated Bubonic infections can lead to an infection in the blood. Once a person is infected through a flea bite, it may take 2 to 6 days for symptoms to occur. Without treatment, death is eminent for more than 50% of those infected. The symptoms are swollen and painful lymph nodes known as buboes, often found in the armpits, groin, or neck. Fever and exhaustion also occur. In the more serious Pneumonic (lung infection) and Septicemic (blood infection) forms, the symptoms are much more severe. In Pneumonic Plague, the symptoms also include a bloody cough. Once diagnosed, the treatment for the Plague is relatively simple. Antibiotics like Streptomycin are used to kill off the infection, and other medications may be used to treat the swelling and pain associated with the disease. Diagnosis must be early because of the short incubation time. Prevention of the Plague is done by reducing rodent populations through better sanitation. Careful monitoring of infection rates in small mammal populations can also help keep the Plague from becoming an epidemic. For family members of infected individuals, prophylactic treatment with antibiotics is recommended. During the Middle Ages in Western Europe, the Black Death (Plague) was very widespread in the mid 1300s with two major outbreaks. The epidemic killed almost one quarter of the population of Western Europe, and was known to destroy entire villages. In the modern world, very few cases of the Plague are reported each year. Most cases are isolated and are the result of flea bites in areas where wild rodents or small animals can be easily found. An interesting thing to note is that a children’s rhyme has lasted to this day which is directly related to the Plague; “Ring Around the Rosy”. The Plague may not ever be completely wiped out, but it seems to be controlled and not as serious as it once was. The Plague is a disease which has had a large historical impact on developing society. Society has learned that proper sanitation to prevent rat infestations is a giant leap toward preventing further epidemics of the Plague. Even though it is now very rare, the threat of exposure to the Plague, particularly the pneumonic form through biological warfare, still exists. Society can help prevent further epidemics or outbreaks by knowing the symptoms and that early treatment increases the chances for survival. To guard against biological warfare, we must depend on more research and governmental protection.