Biological Hazard - State of New Mexico, [Torrance County] : Yersinia Pestis (Bubonic Plague)

Earth Watch Report  -  Biological Hazards

Scanning electron micrograph depicting a mass of Yersinia pestis bacteria (the cause of bubonic plague) in the foregut of the flea vector
Credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/Public/Images.htm
Via  Wikipedia.org
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Biological Hazard

USA

State of New Mexico, [Torrance County]

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RSOE EDIS

Biological Hazard in USA on Saturday, 26 April, 2014 at 04:41 (04:41 AM) UTC.

Description The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has reported today the first case of human plague of the year in the state and in the United States in a man from Torrance County. Confirmatory testing is being conducted at the NMDOH's Scientific Laboratory Division. An environmental investigation will take place at the man's home to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area. "An epidemiologic investigation and an environmental investigation around the home of the plague case are being conducted by NMDOH staff to look for ongoing risk and to ensure the safety of the immediate family and neighbors," said Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. "Staff will go door to door to neighbors near the case to inform them about plague found in the area and educate them on reducing their risk. Health care providers and others close to the patient who have been determined to have been exposed are taking preventive antibiotic therapy." Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is found in animals throughout the world, most commonly rats but other rodents like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits and voles. Fleas typically serve as the vector of plague. Human cases have been linked to the domestic cats and dogs that brought infected fleas into the house. People can also get infected through direct contact with an infected animal, through inhalation and in the case of pneumonic plague, person to person. Yersinia pestis is treatable with antibiotics if started early enough. There are three forms of human plague; bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic. Biohazard name: Yersinia Pestis Biohazard level: 4/4 Hazardous Biohazard desc.: Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release. Symptoms: Status: confirmed

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New Mexico Department of Health

Our mission is to promote health and wellness, improve health outcomes, and assure safety net services for all people in New Mexico.

Plague Case in Torrance County Man

April 25, 2014 - Zoonotic Disease - Disease

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is reporting a case of plague in a 57-year-old man from Torrance County who is currently hospitalized in critical condition. Confirmatory testing is being conducted at the NMDOH’s Scientific Laboratory Division. This is the first human case of plague in New Mexico and in the United States this year. An environmental investigation will take place at the man’s home to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area.
“An epidemiologic investigation and an environmental investigation around the home of the plague case are being conducted by NMDOH staff to look for ongoing risk and to ensure the safety of the immediate family and neighbors,” said Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. “Staff will go door to door to neighbors near the case to inform them about plague found in the area and educate them on reducing their risk. Health care providers and others close to the patient who have been determined to have been exposed are taking preventive antibiotic therapy.”
Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets.
“Plague cases have occurred every month of the year in New Mexico, but most cases usually occur in the summer months,” said Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian for the Department of Health. “It is especially important now that it is warming up to take precautions to avoid rodents and their fleas which can expose you to plague. Pets that are allowed to roam and hunt can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, putting you and your children at risk.”
To prevent plague, the Department of Health recommends:

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• New Mexico reports first human plague case of 2014 in Torrance County Man