Bubonic Plague in Colorado: A Modern-Day Encounter with the Deadly Disease
The bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, remains one of the most notorious diseases in human history in medieval period
Cases of this deadly bacterial infection still occur today. Recently it was detected in Colorado, USA, reminding us that this ancient scourge
The bubonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, devastated Europe in the 14th century, killing an estimated 50 million people
The disease persists in certain animal populations, particularly rodents, which serve as reservoirs for the bacteria
The disease typically presents within one to seven days after exposure with symptoms like Fever, Chills, Headache, Swollen lymph nodes (Buboes)
If left untreated, the infection can progress to septicemic plague, affecting the bloodstream, or pneumonic plague, impacting the lungs
While modern antibiotics and medical care have drastically reduced the mortality rate of the bubonic plague, awareness and preventive measures remain critical.