18 July 2014
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health last night (July 17) received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of a fatal case of pneumonic plague affecting a man aged 38 in Gansu.
The patient, who presented with fever and cough since July 13, was admitted to a local hospital on July 15 for isolation and management. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on July 16. He was a farm worker and had exposure to marmots. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonic plague.
Plague is transmitted from infected animals, mainly rodents, to man through the bite of a flea from an infected animal. People can also contract plague when cuts or other breaks in their skin come into contact with the body fluid or tissue of infected animals.
Pneumonic plague is a kind of plague which is highly contagious. It can spread between humans by inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person. The incubation period of the disease is between one and four days. Symptoms of pneumonic plague include fever, chills, cough with blood-stained sputum, and shortness of breath. Infections can cause rapid fatality if not treated immediately.
A spokesman for the CHP reminded travellers to avoid visiting plague-endemic areas. People who need to travel to areas where plague has been reported should be vigilant and observe precautionary measures including wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid being bitten by fleas and apply insect repellent.
"They should seek medical attention immediately if they are feeling unwell," the spokesman said.