Warden Messages

Bubonic Plague and Anthrax

October 4, 2004

There have been several cases of Bubonic Plague (also know as Black Plague, Black Death, Pestilence) in Mongolia recently, resulting in two deaths so far this year.  According to D. Tserennorov, vice director for the Center for Infectious Diseases with Natural Foci, two people in the Darbi Soum of Gobi-Altai Aimag were infected.  One of the victims died on
September 18th and 62 others who have had, or may have had direct contact with the man are now quarantined.

On September 19, 2004, a woman from Ilbenkh in the Bayankhongor Aimag was infected after skinning a marmot.  Seventy people who have had, or may have had direct contact with her have not shown any symptoms of the disease so far.

The Mongolian government has declared a state of emergency in these, and surrounding areas.  The State Disaster Protection Agency warns people not to hunt or eat marmots.

The Plague is transmitted via several methods.  They include:

• Bites from rodent fleas
• Exposure to humans with the pneumonic form of the plague
• Handling infected carcasses
• Scratches or bites from infected domestic cats
• Exposure to aerosols (small air-borne particles breathed in from infected animals and humans)

Symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• weakness
• headache
• development of buboes (large, swollen lymph nodes, usually in the groin, but can be develop in other areas as well).

Treatment by antibiotic therapy can be effective if the disease is diagnosed and treated early.  More information on the Plague can be found on the website for the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm.

Anthrax - The number of people who have contracted anthrax has increased to 27 cases this year, up from 13 reported cases in 2003. Although all cows have reportedly been vaccinated this past summer, new cases in horses are now being reported.

Humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also spread
by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. Anthrax cannot be transmitted from
person to person.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• flu-like symptoms,
• sore throat, followed by difficulty swallowing, headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• A sore that starts as a raised bump and develops into a painless ulcer with a black are in the center

More information on Anthrax can be found at www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/index.asp.