A suspected case of bubonic plague has been reported to authorities in China

It’s not known how the patient got infected, but the country is on alert

The plague is one of the deadliest diseases in history, but can be treated with antibiotics

[Thread]

http://bbc.in/3f7eSrO 

Bubonic plague is a potentially lethal infectious disease that is caused by bacteria that live in some animals and their fleas

Millions died from it in the Middle Ages

From 2010 to 2015 there were 3,248 cases worldwide, including 584 deaths

http://bbc.in/3f7eSrO 

People can catch it from:

-Bites from infected fleas
-Touching infected animals such as rats and mice
-Inhaling droplets spread by infected people or animals

Cats and dogs can become infected from flea bites or after eating infected rodents

http://bbc.in/3f7eSrO 

Bubonic plague is treatable but prompt intervention with antibiotics is vital as the disease is often lethal if left untreated

Early diagnosis, using laboratory tests on blood and other body samples, can save lives

http://bbc.in/3f7eSrO 

In recent years there have been outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar

"Bubonic plague is caused by a bacterium,” says University of Southampton's Dr Matthew Dryden: “Unlike Covid-19, [it's] readily treated with antibiotics"

http://bbc.in/3f7eSrO 

Discover more about the bubonic plague and scientists working to control the disease: http://bbc.in/3f7eSrO