Yersinia Pestis (Y-Pestis) is a bacterium that causes the disease known as The Bubonic Plague. The bacterium is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas or by handling infected animals.
The 14th century saw one of the bloodiest pandemics in human history brought on by the bubonic plague, popularly known as The Black Death. Up to 200 million individuals in Asia and Europe were said to have perished as a result of the illness. Rats, mice, and squirrels are just a few of the rodents that carry Yersinia pestis.
FORMS OF YERSINIA PESTIS
Y-Pestis is a gram-negative bacterium that is rod-shaped and non-motile and comes in two major forms.
- The bubonic form
- The pneumonic form
While the pneumonic form is significantly more severe and can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, the bubonic form is distinguished by the fast onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion.
TREATMENT
Locating the bacterium in body fluids like sputum or blood. Antibiotics like streptomycin, gentamicin, or doxycycline are used as a kind of treatment. Early intervention is crucial for a positive result. A person with Y-pestis may occasionally be isolated to stop the disease from spreading.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Yersinia pestis remains a problem in some regions of the world despite improvements in medicine and public health. In recent years, outbreaks have been reported in Madagascar, the Congo, and Peru. The following are some Yersinia pestis prevention strategies:
- Maintaining cleanliness and good hygiene
- Avoiding contact with rats and fleas
- Reducing rodent numbers by killing fleas with insecticides.
- Residents of endemic regions should take preventative measures like wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellents.
- Avoid direct animal contact and take sick animals to the vet.