One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai, China-11 in quarantine

[Treyfish]

<TABLE id=apex_layout_271110100662109808 class=formlayout summary=""><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right></TD><TD noWrap align=left>01-AUG-2009</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Subject</TD><TD noWrap align=left>PRO/AH/EDR> Plague, pneumonic - China: (QH), RFI</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

PLAGUE, PNEUMONIC - CHINA: (QINGHAI), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Date: Sat 1 Aug 2009
Source: XinHuaNet [edited]<[URL="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/02/content_11811126.htm>One"]http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/02/content_11811126.htm>

One[/URL] person has died of pneumonic plague which infected 11 others in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, said the province's health bureau. The 11 infected patients, hospitalized in quarantined wards, are in stable conditions. Most of them are relatives of the dead person, a 32-year-old herdsman, said a press release from Health Bureau of Qinghai Province.

The province sent a team of experts to the area and had the plague under control, said the release. The local government quarantined the source of the plague, Ziketan town, and its vicinity. The area has sufficient supplies and the quarantine has not disrupted the basic needs of the locals, according to the release.The health bureau demanded those who have fever and cough and have been to Ziketan town and its vicinity after 16 Jul 2009 to go to hospital. Ziketan town, in Xinghai county of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, covers 3000 square kilometers and has a population of 10 000.-

-Communicated by:HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail<promed@promedmail.org>

[Primary pneumonic plague (one percent of natural plague presentations) arises as a result of inhalation of plague bacilli in infectious aerosols, such as would be produced when there are secondary pneumonic complications in bubonic/septicemic plague.
Primary plague pneumonia has a short incubation period of 1-3 days, after which there is sudden onset of flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headache, generalized body pains, weakness, and chest discomfort. A cough develops with sputum production, which may be bloody, and increasing chest pain and difficulty in breathing. As the disease progresses, hypoxia (low oxygen concentration in the blood) and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) are prominent.
The disease is invariably fatal unless antimicrobial therapy commences within 24 hours of exposure.

Patients with primary pneumonic plague generate large quantities of infectious aerosols that pose a significant risk to close contacts. CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines identify contacts within 2 meters (6.5 ft) as being at greatest risk and do not consider the organism likely to be carried through air ducts or vents.

Persons who have been in contact with pneumonic plague patients or handling potentially infectious body fluids or tissues without appropriate protection should receive preventive antimicrobial therapy.
The preferred antimicrobial agents for prophylaxis are tetracyclines, quinolones, or chloramphenicol.The area involved is an autonomous prefecture of Qinghai province in China. The prefecture's capital is Gonghe county. The placename literally means "south of the Qinghai Lake." It can be found on a map at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Tibetan_Autonomous_Prefecture>.- Mod.LL]:tiphat:http://tinyurl.com/m67czk

</PRE>

 

[Rwilmer]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

I don't like the sound of this outreak, that's for sure.

Man dies from plague in China, 11 others infected
(AP) – 1 hour ago

BEIJING — Thousands of people have been placed under quarantine in a town in northwest China after a man died of pneumonic plague and 11 others were confirmed infected with the deadly lung infection, health authorities said.

The 32-year-old herdsman died in Ziketan in Qinghai province, the provincial health bureau said in a statement posted on its Web site Saturday. It did not say when he died.

Most of the others infected are relatives of the deceased and are in stable condition in a hospital, the bureau said.

The town of 10,000 people has been placed under quarantine and a team of experts has been sent to the area, it said.

Pneumonic plague is spread through the air and can be passed from person to person through coughing, according to the World Health Organization. It is caused by the same bacteria that occurs in bubonic plague — the Black Death that killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe during the Middle Ages.

While bubonic plague — which is usually transmitted by flea bite — can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early, pneumonic plague is one of the deadliest infectious diseases. According to the WHO, humans can die within 24 hours of infection.

The Qinghai health bureau statement warned that anyone who has visited Ziketan and surrounding areas since July 16 and has developed a fever or a cough should seek treatment at a hospital.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iLFGFVYaEEFibpJ7MThpiQsgInWQD99QH66G0

 

[alert]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

The title of this thread is not quite accurate - the 11 people are ill and in isolation. The entire town of 10,000 has been quarantined. Although the articles don't mention it, hopefully, they are all being administered preventative antibiotics as well.

To me, this speaks of how strongly the Chinese react to infectious disease after the SARS outbreak. There is no way this would have been reported years ago.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/n...ntines_10000_after_pneumonic_plague_outbreak_

Beijing - A town of 10,000 people in north-west China has been placed under quarantine after one person died from pneumonic plague and eleven others were infected, according to local health authorities.

A 32-year-old herder from Ziketan Town, in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, died from the infection, according a statement released late Saturday on the website of the Qinghai Province Health Bureau.

The infected, mainly relatives of the deceased, have been isolated in designated hospitals where they are receiving treatment, the bureau said.

According to the World Health Organisation, the pneumonic plague is the most virulent and least common form of plague, and can be transferred from person to person through infected droplets from coughing. Rapid diagnosis is key to reducing complications and fatalities.

Authorities have urged those who have travelled to Ziketan since July 16, and developed a fever or coughing, to go to local disease control centres



Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/n...fter_pneumonic_plague_outbreak_#ixzz0N0GRntGt

 

[Rwilmer]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Alert, do you think this outreak in under control?

 

[alert]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Not yet, but will be brought under control. This disease is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. Pneumonic plague happens sporadically around the world (the articles do say the initial case was a herdsmen, which indicates contact with animals). I'm sure the Chinese health authorities are doing everything they can do to control this. The fact that they even reported this is a good sign. They could have very easily just covered this up, and no one would have known.

I would be much more worried if this was an undiagnosed outbreak, but it isn't.

 

[Rwilmer]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

So we don't have to be concerned about plague so much because we have lots of different types of antibiotics? What if by chance this gets out of the town?

 

[alert]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Plague is treatable with antibiotics. Countries with much less infrastructure have brought under control much larger outbreaks of plague than this. Personally, I view quarantining the town as a bit of an extreme measure (all they really had to do was distribute antibiotics to the entire town).

 

[Rwilmer]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

They did not want to take any chances. But there is something interesting in them quarentinig the town. Quinhai lake, H5N1's pastime. Perhaps they are hiding something? Maybe this is H5N1 and not plague?

 

[alert]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Unlikely. I think the delay from when the person died to the report now (about 2 weeks I suspect) was waiting for laboratory confirmation. I would be extremely surprised if this wasn't pneumonic plague.

 

[Rwilmer]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

It was 48 hours. According to the press release, unless I am reading it wrong.

Qinghai Provincial Health Department Notice

(1 August, 2009)



July 30, 2009, Hainan Province Xinghai County, son of the state Division Town found with suspected plague outbreak, laboratory-48 hours of bacterial culture results were positive, according to clinical manifestations, epidemiological investigation and laboratory test results, Experts identified as pneumonic plague, 12 cases of confirmed cases, of which the first patient (male, pastoralists, 32-year-old) died, and the remaining 11 were mainly relatives of the deceased has been treated in isolation at designated hospitals in stable condition, effective treatment. After the outbreak, the provincial party committee and government attach great importance to the provincial, state, county public health emergencies immediately activated emergency plan, the experts have rushed to the scene to carry out epidemiological investigations, follow-up of close contacts management, and focus to deal with such as the prevention and control and medical treatment, the epidemic has been effectively controlled. At present, the Sub-Division Town and the surrounding areas have been closed in accordance with the law control, adequate protection of local materials, the normal order of production and daily life. To remind the health sector, after the July 16 staff have been to the region if there is fever, cough and other symptoms, should be quick visit to the local disease control agency. Related to the prevention and control of the progress of the work, I will keep the Office to the public.

http://www.qhwst.gov.cn/pub/gggs/2009/08/01/1249135087882.html#

 

[alert]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

I think you are correct. Nice find on that press release - I knew it existed but couldn't find it. This outbreak might already be under control, as the incubation period of pneumonic plague is very short.

 

[Rwilmer]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai,China-11 in quarantine

1-3 three days according the the promed post. Do we have an idea when this outreak began and why their was a delay in getting this info?

 

[Treyfish]

Re: 2 die of pneumonic plague in Qinghai, China-12 cases, 10,0000 in quarantine

Re: 2 die of pneumonic plague in Qinghai, China-12 cases, 10,0000 in quarantine

The Qinghai pulmonary plague increases 2 dies
2009-08-02 23:22

The Qinghai Province Hainan state pulmonary plague epidemic situation death case increases today to 2 people, Xinghai County sub-branch beach town yellow Qingcun four society villagers Dainzin, dies invalid after the rescue in today morning. This masculine dead is the first dead's neighbor, 37 years old, after appearing gives off heat, symptoms and so on cough, on July 31 moves in the Xinghai County Tibet Hospital isolation treatment. The sub-branch beach town on July 30 discovers pulmonary plague epidemic situation, altogether diagnosis case 12, at present still had in 10 person of place isolation treatments, the discovery has not given off heat, symptoms and so on cough. The concerned personnel continue in the quarantine area to carry out the disinfection, the insect disinfestation, the rat control, to extinguish work and so on flea. :tiphat:http://66.196.80.202/babelfish/tran...oncc/portal/breakingnews/Detail.do?id=8366598

 

[Treyfish]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai, China-11 in quarantine

Vermin hunt as killer plague outbreak hits

| 2009-8-3 THOUSANDS have been placed under quarantine in a town in northwest China's Qinghai Province after two people died of pneumonic plague and 10 others were confirmed infected with the deadly lung disease, provincial health authorities said yesterday.

One of the dead, a 32-year-old herdsman, was a resident of Ziketan in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in Qinghai, the provincial health department said in a statement posted on its Website on Saturday. It did not say when he died.

The other man died yesterday morning. Xinhua news agency quoted the local government as saying last night that the second victim, Danzin, 37, was a neighbor of the deceased herdsman.

Most of the others infected are relatives of the 32-year-old victim and are in stable condition in a designated hospital, the statement said.

The town of 10,000 people has been placed under quarantine and a team of experts has been sent to the area, it said.

Medical workers have not discovered coughs and fever symptoms in the people under quarantine, it added.

Authorities in the province have started sterilizing the areas where the outbreak was reported and begun work to kill mice and pests including fleas, according to the statement.

Pneumonic plague is spread through the air and can be passed from person to person through coughing, according to the World Health Organization.

It is caused by the same bacteria that occurs in bubonic plague - the Black Death that killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe during the Middle Ages.

While bubonic plague, which is usually transmitted by flea bite, can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early, pneumonic plague is one of the deadliest infectious diseases.

According to the WHO, people can die within 24 hours of infection.

In September 2008, pneumonic plague killed two people in Nangxian County in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Tibet borders Qinghai.

The Qinghai health department statement warned that anyone who has visited Ziketan and surrounding areas since July 16 and has developed a fever or a cough should seek hospital treatment.

The area has sufficient supplies and the quarantine has not disrupted the basic needs of locals, the release said.

Ziketan covers about 3,000 square kilometers.

:tiphat:http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200908/20090803/article_409467.htm

 

[Treyfish]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai, China-11 in quarantine

Airport alert for pneumonic plague

<DL class=columnistProfile><DD> BangkokPost.com <DD>Published: 4/08/2009 at 02:43 PM </DD></DL>The Public Health Ministry is ready to enforce the Communicable Diseases Act to deal with a possible outbreak of pneumonic plague if the World Health Organisation (WHO) declares a pandemic.
Three people are reported to have died of pneumonic plague in a quarantined town in the northwestern Chinese province of Qinghai in the first four days of the outbreak.

The Public Health Ministry has ordered 64 border checkpoints and all airports nationwide to implement stringent measures to prevent the disease from spreading to Thailand, Department of Communicable Disease director-general Somchai Jakrapandhu said on Tuesday.

Dr Somchai said officials must also examine the pig population as they are vectors for many diseases.

The health ministry had also warned people to be careful of rodent vectors such as squirrels and rabbits.

Pneumonic plague is one of the deadly infectious diseases caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is capable of killing humans within 24 hours of infection.:tiphat:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/151086/govt-may-enforce-law-to-combat-plague

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[Jeremy]

Re: One dies of pneumonic plague in Qinghai, China-11 in quarantine

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/05/content_11826797.htm

XINING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Another pneumonic plague patient is near death and one is in serious condition in the town of Ziketan, in Xinghai county in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, health authorities said Tuesday. The prefecture is located in northwestern China's Qinghai Province.


The disease has already killed three villagers.
The outbreak began July 30 and made 12 people in the town ill.
Seven patients in quarantine are in stable condition.
There has been no report of new infections.
Medical staff are disinfecting the region and tracking down people who have been in close contact with those affected by the plague
The local government has quarantined the town and its vicinity. The area has adequate essential supplies and the quarantine has not disrupted the locals' lives.
Those who have been in Ziketan and its vicinity since July 16 who show symptoms of fever and coughing have been ordered to report to the nearest hospital.
Local authorities have handed out more than 40,000 leaflets and disks on plague prevention along with other efforts to allay residents' fears.
The town covers 3,000 square kilometers and has a population of 10,000. Pneumonic plague is one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases; patients can die 24 hours after infection, says the World Health Organization.