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Plague

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Bubonic plague; Pneumonic plague; Septicemic plague

Prevention:

Rat control and surveillance of the disease in the wild rodent population are the main measures used to control the risk of epidemics. A vaccination is available for high-risk workers, but its effectiveness is not clearly established.

References:

Kool JL. Risk of person-to-person transmission of pneumonic plague. Clin Infect Dis . 2005 Apr 15;40(8):1166-72.

Cobbs CG, Chansolme DH. Plague. Dermatol Clin . 2004 Jul;22(3):303-12, vi.

Josko D. Yersinia pestis: still a plague in the 21st century. Clin Lab Sci . 2004 Winter;17(1):25-9.

• Review Date: 6/29/2007
• Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine,College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant AttendingPhysician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & MedicalDirector, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, HarlemHospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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