Published Date: 2014-04-25 20:39:23
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Plague - USA: (NM) pneumonic
Archive Number: 20140425.2430602
PLAGUE - USA: (NEW MEXICO) PNEUMONIC
************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Fri 25 Apr 2014
From: Paul Ettestad <Paul.Ettestad@state.nm.us> [edited]
Below is the New Mexico Department of Health's press release that went out today, 25 Apr 2014. This is the 1st known human plague case in the USA in 2014. The case developed right axillary bubonic plague which progressed to secondary septicemic plague and then to secondary pneumonic plague. Potentially exposed friends, family members and hospital staff are being evaluated and offered antibiotic prophylaxis if indicated. An environmental investigation will be done to look for possible rodent die off in the area due to plague.
"The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is reporting a case of plague in a 57-year-old man from Torrance County who is currently hospitalized in critical condition. Confirmatory testing is being conducted at the NMDOH's Scientific Laboratory Division. This is the 1st human case of plague in New Mexico and in the USA in 2014. An environmental investigation will take place at the man's home to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area.
'An epidemiologic investigation and an environmental investigation around the home of the plague case are being conducted by NMDOH staff to look for ongoing risk and to ensure the safety of the immediate family and neighbors,' said Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. 'Staff will go door-to-door to neighbors near the case to inform them about plague found in the area and educate them on reducing their risk. Health care providers and others close to the patient who have been determined to have been exposed are taking preventive antibiotic therapy.'
Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets.
'Plague cases have occurred every month of the year in New Mexico, but most cases usually occur in the summer months,' said Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian for the Department of Health. 'It is especially important now that it is warming up to take precautions to avoid rodents and their fleas which can expose you to plague. Pets that are allowed to roam and hunt can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, putting you and your children at risk.'
To prevent plague, the Department of Health recommends:
- Avoid sick or dead rodents and rabbits, and their nests and burrows.
- Keep your pets from roaming and hunting
- Talk to your veterinarian about using an appropriate flea control product on your pets as not all products are safe for cats, dogs, or your children.
- Clean up areas near the house where rodents could live, such as woodpiles, brush piles, junk and abandoned vehicles.
- Sick pets should be examined promptly by a veterinarian.
- See your doctor about any unexplained illness involving a sudden and severe fever.
- Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home.
- Don't leave your pet's food and water where mice can get to it.
Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness. In most cases there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck areas. Plague symptoms in cats and dogs are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. There may be a swelling in the lymph node under the jaw. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate in people and pets can be greatly reduced. Physicians who suspect plague should promptly report to NMDOH.
In New Mexico, there were 4 human plague cases in 2013 with 1 fatality, 1 human plague case in 2012, 2 human cases of plague in 2011, no cases in 2010, and 6 human cases of plague in 2009, 1 of them fatal."
--
Paul Ettestad DVM, MS
State Public Health Veterinarian
Epidemiology and Response Division
New Mexico Department of Health
<Paul.Ettestad@state.nm.us>
[ProMED thanks Dr. Ettestad for this report.
Indeed, the development of secondary pneumonic plague caused by _Yersinia pestis_ disseminating to the lungs causes the distinct potential of human-to-human transmission of the infection. Direct airborne spread of the plague bacillus to another human causes primary pneumonic plague with a high case fatality rate. As noted by Dr. Ettestad, appropriate chemoprophylaxis is indicated in exposed individuals. - Mod.LL
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Plague - USA: (NM) pneumonic
Archive Number: 20140425.2430602
PLAGUE - USA: (NEW MEXICO) PNEUMONIC
************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Fri 25 Apr 2014
From: Paul Ettestad <Paul.Ettestad@state.nm.us> [edited]
Below is the New Mexico Department of Health's press release that went out today, 25 Apr 2014. This is the 1st known human plague case in the USA in 2014. The case developed right axillary bubonic plague which progressed to secondary septicemic plague and then to secondary pneumonic plague. Potentially exposed friends, family members and hospital staff are being evaluated and offered antibiotic prophylaxis if indicated. An environmental investigation will be done to look for possible rodent die off in the area due to plague.
"The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is reporting a case of plague in a 57-year-old man from Torrance County who is currently hospitalized in critical condition. Confirmatory testing is being conducted at the NMDOH's Scientific Laboratory Division. This is the 1st human case of plague in New Mexico and in the USA in 2014. An environmental investigation will take place at the man's home to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area.
'An epidemiologic investigation and an environmental investigation around the home of the plague case are being conducted by NMDOH staff to look for ongoing risk and to ensure the safety of the immediate family and neighbors,' said Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. 'Staff will go door-to-door to neighbors near the case to inform them about plague found in the area and educate them on reducing their risk. Health care providers and others close to the patient who have been determined to have been exposed are taking preventive antibiotic therapy.'
Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets.
'Plague cases have occurred every month of the year in New Mexico, but most cases usually occur in the summer months,' said Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian for the Department of Health. 'It is especially important now that it is warming up to take precautions to avoid rodents and their fleas which can expose you to plague. Pets that are allowed to roam and hunt can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, putting you and your children at risk.'
To prevent plague, the Department of Health recommends:
- Avoid sick or dead rodents and rabbits, and their nests and burrows.
- Keep your pets from roaming and hunting
- Talk to your veterinarian about using an appropriate flea control product on your pets as not all products are safe for cats, dogs, or your children.
- Clean up areas near the house where rodents could live, such as woodpiles, brush piles, junk and abandoned vehicles.
- Sick pets should be examined promptly by a veterinarian.
- See your doctor about any unexplained illness involving a sudden and severe fever.
- Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home.
- Don't leave your pet's food and water where mice can get to it.
Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness. In most cases there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck areas. Plague symptoms in cats and dogs are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. There may be a swelling in the lymph node under the jaw. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate in people and pets can be greatly reduced. Physicians who suspect plague should promptly report to NMDOH.
In New Mexico, there were 4 human plague cases in 2013 with 1 fatality, 1 human plague case in 2012, 2 human cases of plague in 2011, no cases in 2010, and 6 human cases of plague in 2009, 1 of them fatal."
--
Paul Ettestad DVM, MS
State Public Health Veterinarian
Epidemiology and Response Division
New Mexico Department of Health
<Paul.Ettestad@state.nm.us>
[ProMED thanks Dr. Ettestad for this report.
Indeed, the development of secondary pneumonic plague caused by _Yersinia pestis_ disseminating to the lungs causes the distinct potential of human-to-human transmission of the infection. Direct airborne spread of the plague bacillus to another human causes primary pneumonic plague with a high case fatality rate. As noted by Dr. Ettestad, appropriate chemoprophylaxis is indicated in exposed individuals. - Mod.LL