Cases of Death Due to Human Plague Increase in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 11 cases of plague in the U.S. since April this year. A CNN report on Wednesday stated that three patients have already died.

The latest casualty is a patient from Utah, who contracted the disease early in August,

This year's data of human plague cases is clearly higher than the recorded average of seven patients and less than one casualty (each year) in 2001 and 2002.

"We don't want people to panic but we do want people to be aware of the heightened risk," veterinarian at the CDC Dr. Natalie Kwit says.

The reports come from six states - 4 in Colorado, 2 each in Arizona and New Mexico, and 1 in California, Georgia and Oregon. Out of the 11 patients, nine are male. The oldest patient is 79 years old, while the youngest is 14.

The bacteria, causing the plague, is Yersinia pestis. It occurs naturally in and around areas with wild rodents. It is spread through direct contact with a dead animal or passed on by fleas coming into contact with rodents. In return, people bitten by infected fleas show symptoms - such as general sickness, sudden fever, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea - after two to six days.

Early treatment will help the patients recover successfully. Those who show early indications can take antibiotics to prevent the disease from getting worse. If detected late or left untreated, there is high percentage of casualties, at 66% to 69%, while patients who are treated early have a recorded death rate of 16%.

Kwit comments, "This may be one of those years where we are seeing a higher number [of cases]," mentioning that there have been 17 cases in 2006.

To avoid infection, CDC suggests wearing clothes that cover the skin to avoid bites from infected fleas. Applying insect repellent cream also helps greatly. And people should not forget to get rid of garbage to prevent creating suitable breeding places for rodents and fleas.