It is bloody and pulmonary, and these are its symptoms.. A Russian death in a laboratory threatens the spread of the plague

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The death of an employee working in a laboratory affiliated with an institute specializing in the study of plague in Russia has raised questions about the circumstances of the incident, amid concerns about its possible connection to infectious diseases, coinciding with reports of a case of pneumonia of unknown cause in Irkutsk Province, southeastern Siberia.

In light of these developments, the Russian authorities confirmed that there is no epidemiological danger threatening the population, while informing the World Health Organization of developments, according to the information received regarding the incident.

These developments re-shed light on plague, which continues to represent a public health challenge in some regions of the world, despite the significant development in diagnostic and treatment methods, especially in cases where medical care is delayed.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Rifai, a fever disease consultant, told Al Arabiya.net and Al-Hadath.net that the plague is a contagious bacterial disease that may lead to death if not diagnosed and treated early, and is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, explaining that the disease still exists in some regions of the world.

He added that the plague has three main forms: bubonic plague, which affects the lymph nodes, septicemic plague, in which infection occurs within the bloodstream, and pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, and can be transmitted from one person to another through respiratory droplets.

He explained that the methods of transmission of infection differ according to the type of disease. Infection with bubonic plague is usually associated with the bites of infected fleas, or handling infected animals, while pneumonic plague may be transmitted through inhalation of respiratory droplets resulting from the coughing or sneezing of an infected person.

He pointed out that the diagnosis of the disease depends on appropriate laboratory tests, which may include blood samples, sputum, or fluids taken from the affected lymph nodes, according to the symptoms and type of infection.

The fever disease consultant stressed that the speed of diagnosis and the start of appropriate treatment are among the most important factors that limit complications and reduce the risk of death, explaining that treatment depends on antibiotics, in addition to medical care that is appropriate to the patient’s condition and the severity of the infection.

He added that those who have been in contact with cases of pneumonic plague may need medical follow-up, and it may be recommended that they be given preventive antibiotics depending on the nature of exposure and the assessment of the competent health authorities, pointing out that vaccination is not routinely used for the entire population, but rather it may be recommended for specific groups according to the level of risk and approved health guidelines.

For her part, Dr. Fayrouz Ahmed, a specialist in preventive medicine, explained to Al Arabiya.net and Al-Hadath.net that pneumonic plague appears in two forms: The first is primary pneumonic plague, which occurs as a result of inhaling respiratory droplets from an infected person or animal, and the second is secondary pneumonic plague, which may develop when bacteria spread from the initial site of infection, such as lymph nodes, to the lungs.

She added that the incubation period for pneumonic plague is short, and may usually range between one and three days, and symptoms begin suddenly, and include high temperature, chills, headache, and fatigue, and may be accompanied by vomiting and severe respiratory symptoms, most notably shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough, which may be accompanied by phlegm containing blood.

The specialist in preventive medicine warned that pneumonic plague may develop rapidly if appropriate treatment is not received, and may lead to serious complications, including respiratory failure, shock, and organ failure, and the infection may end in death.

She stressed that suspicion of infection requires urgent medical evaluation, with the start of appropriate treatment without delay, given the rapid progression of the disease and the seriousness of its complications.