Septicaemic plague is a type of plague where there is bacterial overgrowth in the blood.
A bacteria called Yersinia pestis causes all types of plague. Throughout known history, it has caused millions of human deaths, often in waves of infection. Fortunately, it is not a common disease now. The last known case in South Africa was in 1982. However, there have been some cases reported in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the 1990s.
Septicaemic plague can occur in two ways:
Some of the symptoms of septicaemic plague include:
If the septicaemic plague is because the infection has spread from the lungs (pneumonic plague) or the lymph nodes (bubonic plague), a patient may also have:
The Yersinia pestis bacteria normally live in several different types of rodents, including rats, mice, shrews, and gerbils. The infection is transmitted between different individual animals via flea bites. The infection is also transmitted to humans via an infected flea bite.
As plague is so rare in the world now, it is difficult to know whether there are risk factors other than living in an area where plague is known to exist. Some risk factors may include:
Septicaemic plague is diagnosed with specialised blood tests in certain laboratories where the infection is more common. There is also a rapid test available in some African countries.
Untreated septicaemic plague is fatal in approximately 50% of cases.
Other complications can include:
If caught early and treated, a person can survive plague. Treatment is with antibiotics as well as other medications to treat symptoms and complications.
If a person lives in or travels to an area where septicaemic plague is common, they should wear long sleeves and trousers to protect their skin from flea bites. They should also use insect repellent. If cases of plague are reported in the area, they should follow the advice of local health authorities on the best prevention practices.
If a person works or studies animals in these areas, they should use proper protective equipment such as face masks and gloves when handling a dead animal. If a medical worker is treating patients who may have plague, they should also take proper precautions. The body of a person who has died because of plague should have a disinfectant cloth draped over the head, neck, and chest before burial to avoid spreading the illness to others.
A vaccine is available for people at the highest risk, such as healthcare workers.