Plague Disease Life cycle And Definition....
Plague is a disease caused by a germ called Pasteurella pestis. This germ infects rats; sometimes it causes many deaths of rats, but often plague- infected rats remain well. Fleas feed on the rats' blood and if a flea then bites man, the germ is transferred to the victim and plague develops after two to six days.
Symptoms and treatment. There are three clinical types of plague. In bubonic plague there is a swelling or bubo in the patent's groin or axial; this often breaks down, but the danger to the patient is from invasion of his bloodstream by the plague germ. Pneumonia and septicaemk plague are the other, two forms. In the past all three forms were highly fatal diseases. The Black Death of the Middle Ages was almost certainly plague and it swept across continents, killing millions of people in its path. Today it is much rarer, though epidemics can still occur in conditions of poor hygiene; it has been common, for example, in Vietnam. Fortunately, today the disease can be successfully treated by sulphonamides and antibiotics.
Prevention. The prevention of plague depends on preventing rats and their fleas getting in contact with man. This is difficult in primitive conditions or during field warfare. In better conditions, rat-proofing of build¬ings and good hygiene in living quarters can be achieved. Ships must be deratted at regular intervals to prevent the importation of infected rats into ports, and Port Health Authorities carry out regular trapping and examination of dead rats to make sure none are carrying plague. Plague vaccine gives some protection . Insecticides are useful for killing fleas in dangerous areas.
Plague is a disease caused by a germ called Pasteurella pestis. This germ infects rats; sometimes it causes many deaths of rats, but often plague- infected rats remain well. Fleas feed on the rats' blood and if a flea then bites man, the germ is transferred to the victim and plague develops after two to six days.
Symptoms and treatment. There are three clinical types of plague. In bubonic plague there is a swelling or bubo in the patent's groin or axial; this often breaks down, but the danger to the patient is from invasion of his bloodstream by the plague germ. Pneumonia and septicaemk plague are the other, two forms. In the past all three forms were highly fatal diseases. The Black Death of the Middle Ages was almost certainly plague and it swept across continents, killing millions of people in its path. Today it is much rarer, though epidemics can still occur in conditions of poor hygiene; it has been common, for example, in Vietnam. Fortunately, today the disease can be successfully treated by sulphonamides and antibiotics.
Prevention. The prevention of plague depends on preventing rats and their fleas getting in contact with man. This is difficult in primitive conditions or during field warfare. In better conditions, rat-proofing of build¬ings and good hygiene in living quarters can be achieved. Ships must be deratted at regular intervals to prevent the importation of infected rats into ports, and Port Health Authorities carry out regular trapping and examination of dead rats to make sure none are carrying plague. Plague vaccine gives some protection . Insecticides are useful for killing fleas in dangerous areas.
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