Oregon man diagnosed with "black death" plague

Yersinia pestis bacteria, which causes the bubonic plague, shown in electron micrograph.

/ AP Photo/Rocky Mountain Laboratories

(CBS News) Oregon health officials believe a man in a Bend hospital has been infected with the "black death" plague, a bacterial infection that affects the blood stream.

According to The Oregonian, the man became ill with the bubonic plague - the cause of the "black death" - after he was bitten on the hand by a stray cat while trying to get a mouse out of its mouth. As of Tuesday, he was listed in critical condition at St. Charles Medical Center-Bend, and his family was given preventative medication. He marks the fifth case discovered in Oregon since 1995.

The stray cat has since died, and has been sent to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention for testing.

Often transmitted by fleas that are infected with the Yersinia pestis bacteria, people often get black plague through a bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include a swollen lymph gland known as a "bubo," fever, chills, headache, and extreme exhaustion. Illness usually occurs two to six days after infection.

During the "Black Death" period starting in the late 1340s and lasting for centuries, 25 million lives were claimed, according to National Geographic.

"This can be a serious illness," said Emilio DeBess, Oregon's public health veterinarian told The Oregonian. "But it is treatable with antibiotics, and it's also preventable."

Treatment consists of hospitalization, antibiotics and medical isolation. The problem occurs when the disease goes untreated. The plague bacteria can multiply in the bloodstream. If the lungs are infected, the person gets the pneumonia form of the plague, creating problems in the respiratory system. Both types can be fatal, and about 1 in 7 cases in the U.S. end in death. On average, 10 to 20 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in the U.S., with worldwide rates reported at 1,000 to 3,000 cases a year.

While four people have died from the plague since 1934, the last four cases - one in 1995, two in 2010 and one in 2011 - all survived, according to the Oregonian. While a plague vaccine exists, it is no longer sold in the U.S.

[JP.]

The plague in the 14th century was caused by fleas on black rats[ratus norvicus I think] but the plague had existed in Europe for several hundred years before that with sporadic outbreaks over the years. It was spread across England[it is said]by the fleas infesting clothing and particularly woollen garments which were bought and sold second hand in those days. The Great Fire of London was said to have put an end to the plague though it was known to have continued in some eastern English seaports after that.

The case in Oregon is intriguing as it involves both mice and cat[one assumes the domestic variety turned feral]. The question is where did the fleas originate as they are almost certainly the carriers? The mouse I would advocate is probably the innocent party as feral cats often hunt rats. The results of the ensuing investigation will be intersting.

Meanwhile,best wishes to the man suffering from this deadly affliction,let us hope he makes good on his recovery. Time to review the US medicine cabinet and count the antibiotics maybe?

JP.

[Goldie02]

Yikes!

[take_a_number]

Why would anyone try to take a mouse from a stray cat?

[hypnotoad72]

Hunger?

[Cpt_Fiber]

This news story is lacking details. According to the Globe and Mail, the man was trying to aid a stray cat he named Charlie. The cat was choking on the mouse and the man was attempting to help the cat by removing the mouse from its throat. That's when the cat accidentally bit him. He ended up killing the cat to put it out of its misery. The cat was buried and later dug up when the medical team wanted to test it for the plague. The cat tested positive. The man started having symptoms two days after being bitten.

[waxpoetic]

Oh dear. I personally would never touch or go near a mouse. Those things are bastians of disease. Wasn't that the original cause of the plague? Mice - not cats? Even with treatment, the plague is still fairly deadly, no? It's a rotten illness. I hope the guy recovers and doesn't spread it to anyone else. I have friends over that way.

[hypnotoad72]

*bingo*

And seconded. I hope there is recovery and the disease not spread.

[venusvegasvada]

"While a plague vaccine exists, it is no longer sold in the U.S."

Not enough profit margin to be carried? Not covered by insurance carriers either probably.

Unless one of health care CEO's or shareholders gets sick from it...

[hypnotoad72]

*bingo*

[pdchapin]

Not enough demand. How many people are going to get vaccinated against a disease with about a 1 in a ten million chance of infection and a 1 in 100 million chance of death.

[t3rr0r]

Incoming zombie apocalypse.

[lighthouserob]

I feel for the guy, and hope he recovers. But dude, next time just let the cat have the mouse, for Pete's sake. That's what cats do...they catch and eat mice.

[audemus]

Did he just return from medieval Europe ? Anyway, hope he pulls through.

Damn mecanik...why the hate ?

[hypnotoad72]

He likes to hate, I suppose.

But Oregon must be the new 'medieval Europe'... in the 'new normal'...