Chinese state media reported today that authorities have warned of possible pneumonic plague outbreak. The outbreak is expected in the aftermath of the earthquake that left at least 760 dead and thousands hurt.
Pneumonic plague is spread by marmots, and health officials fear the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the remote northwest may have woken the large ground squirrels from their winter hibernation, the China Daily said.
WHO Points Finger at Marmot for China Plague Outbreak
A marmot was at the root of a pneumonic plague outbreak in northwest China that has claimed three lives, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.
A marmot was at the root of a pneumonic plague outbreak in northwest China that has claimed three lives, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.
Marmots usually hibernate in their burrows until late April or early May, but could resurface early due to the impact of Wednesday's earthquake, Feng said.
Rescue workers and survivors of the earthquake in Yushu county in Qinghai province should avoid contact with dead animals to reduce the chance of infection, he said.
China Lifts Quarantine From Plague-hit Town: Report
Chinese authorities have lifted a quarantine order that was imposed on a remote town of 10,000 people to contain a deadly outbreak of pneumonic plague, according to a report on Sunday.
Chinese authorities have lifted a quarantine order that was imposed on a remote town of 10,000 people to contain a deadly outbreak of pneumonic plague, according to a report on Sunday.
The World Health Organization says pneumonic plague is the most virulent but least common form of plague. The mortality rate can be high, but prompt antibiotic treatment is effective.
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Dog Suspected Source of China Plague: State Media
A dog is suspected to be the origin of an outbreak of pneumonic plague in northwest China that has killed three people and left 10,000 under strict quarantine, state media reported.
A dog is suspected to be the origin of an outbreak of pneumonic plague in northwest China that has killed three people and left 10,000 under strict quarantine, state media reported.
TAN
People Trying to Flee China Plague Town
Residents of a town in northwest China where three people have died from pneumonic plague said Wednesday scared people were trying to leave despite a strict quarantine to contain the virulent disease.
Residents of a town in northwest China where three people have died from pneumonic plague said Wednesday scared people were trying to leave despite a strict quarantine to contain the virulent disease.
