In a video on the YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly, we learned about a sad case in which, in August of this year, a young woman was bitten by a flea during regular contact with rats, which may have been infected with the bacterium Yersinia pestis.

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This incident gave us serious pause for thought, and we hope that the following summary will serve as a lesson. This is how the Plague can be transmitted from fleas to humans.

This is how a flea carrying the Plague can infect you

We recommend that only those with strong nerves watch the video mentioned in the introduction; in addition to being emotionally disturbing, it can also have a serious visual impact on those who are sensitive to such things. It is important to note that the young woman lives in the Skid Row slum of Los Angeles and, by her own admission, regularly "plays" with dead rats. She has already received antibiotic treatment and, considering the circumstances, is doing well and has successfully recovered from Bubonic plague.

One of the reasons we decided to mention this case on our pet website is that perhaps few people are aware that the plague is still present in our modern world, albeit fortunately only sporadically.

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, most commonly spread by fleas. There are three main forms of the disease: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and septicemic plague. Bubonic plague is the first stage of the disease, which involves enlarged, painful lymph nodes; these eventually turn black and burst, resulting in pus-filled sores. If the bacteria break through the lymph nodes' line of defense, they cause pneumonia, pulmonary sepsis, and meningitis. The third type occurs when the pathogens return to the bloodstream from the lungs or lymph nodes. This causes inflammation throughout the body, accompanied by high fever and high white blood cell count (leukocytosis).

When abroad, it is particularly important to avoid contact with stray and wild animals

Human infection usually occurs when bacteria enter the body through the bite of an infected flea. In addition, direct contact with infected animals (very rare), such as rats or pets, can also cause disease. At this point, it is important to emphasize that the risk of infection in populated areas is very low.

The incidence of Bubonic plague is highest in Africa, Asia, and South America. In these areas, the plague is spread mainly by wild rodents and their fleas, with human cases limited to a few hundred per year. In the United States, an average of seven human cases are reported each year, mainly in New Mexico and Arizona.

One more reason to take flea control seriously throughout the year

The disease can now be effectively treated with antibiotics, and if detected early, the chances of survival are very good. The World Health Organization also points out that, despite its rarity, prevention is important. Contact with infected animals should be avoided, and flea control and regular veterinary check-ups for animals should be taken seriously for this reason. It is worth mentioning that although there are special vaccines against the disease, due to its low incidence, they are recommended for laboratory workers and travelers to high-risk areas.

The purpose of this article is not to cause panic, but quite the opposite: with the right information at our disposal, we can create safer lives and circumstances for ourselves. If you are traveling to any of the continents listed above—whether with your favorite companion or with two-legged travel companions—avoid contact with both stray and wild animals, and if you experience any health problems, seek medical attention!

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