THE FEDERAL SERVICE FOR SUPERVISION OF CONSUMERS PROTECTION: THE BUBONIC PLAGUE IS NOT A THREAT TO RUSSIA

Previously it became known that China announced a third level of danger due to the spread of bubonic plague. The Federal Service for Supervision of Consumers Protection made a report on whether an outbreak of disease is possible in Russia.

The ministry assured that there is no danger of bubonic plague epidemic for Russia, but the selected cases are possible. The representative of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumers Protection Viktor Maleev has commented on the situation, saying that in the case of plague, there is a vaccine, in addition, there are other working drugs - this is a fundamental difference from the situation with coronavirus. The specialist is sure that even if there are cases, they will not lead to the epidemic, and the doctors know how to cure this disease.

We should recall that the cases of bubonic plague were confirmed in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia, which shares borders with Russia. What is more, two patients with plague were found in Western Mongolia – the men and a woman who allegedly ate raw groundhog meat, were hospitalized. The infected people came into contact with 60 people, 400 people got into indirect contact. It is noted that plague infection could have occurred not because of meat, but because of the process of butchering the carcass, or an infected flea could have bitten them.     

As a result, a third level of danger has been announced in Inner Mongolia due to the plague; precautionary measures will be respected until 2021.

It is recommended that the local residents observe personal hygiene and avoid rodents.

Despite the proximity to the borders of Russia, the doctors urge not to sound the alarm - the last time the plague was recorded in Altai in 2016, and there have been no deaths from it for more than 100 years. It is noted that patients should be isolated and should also undergo an antibiotic therapy to prevent the transition of bubonic plague into the pulmonary, when it can be transmitted from person to person.

It is also worth noting that the plague outbreaks are not uncommon in Inner Mongolia and Western Mongolia. This is due to the local custom of hunting groundhogs and eating their meat - rodents are carriers of the disease. If bubonic plague is not treated, death occurs within two days.