Within a few months, the coronavirus pandemic has impacted America’s political, social, economic, and cultural climates in more ways than one may expect.
Although many thought of it as something that was no more than the flu, the virus exploded into a full-blown healthcare crisis that saw the closure of stores, offices, and economies worldwide. As headlines all over the country continue to narrate and cover the impact of the virus, the current resurgence of the plague in Inner Mongolia is one development that has caused concern for many.
An overview of the brewing modern-day plague
Despite growing fears of an additional healthcare crisis with a potential impact that will exceed expectations, experts—contrary to ominous headlines—argue that the problem isn’t as world-ending as expected.With the current pandemic shedding light on the impact of infectious diseases and subsequently raising panic over them, it’s understandable to see the rise in concern amongst many Americans on the possibility of a modern plague. Apart from the word “coronavirus,” the mere mention of plague is enough to shift the panicked state of US citizens into overdrive because of its association with The Black Death.
Last July 6, the speculations and panic of many were elevated even further as Chinese officials confirmed the presence of a bubonic plague case after an Inner Mongolian citizen consumed infected marmot meat. While it may be too soon to tell, experts suspect that China’s government will be quick enough to respond this time as the country has wasted no time in implementing tough lockdown restrictions and enforcing a level three warning.
A reality that many need to know
Contrary to popular sentiment and general panic, medical experts and pathologists argue that the latest case of bubonic plague is nothing to grow crazy over because it commonly affects thousands of people around the world. On American soil, the traces of such cases are minimal but very much present as rural parts register seven cases on average each year.
As opposed to previous centuries where the same pathogen killed thousands to millions of people during an outbreak, the bubonic plague has exponentially minimized in terms of impact because modern medicine easily circumvents the problem. Additionally, the presence of level three warning in Bayan Mur is minimal at best because it is the lowest alert grade and merely enforces a ban on hunting or eating specific animals that may transmit or carry the disease.
Should Americans be worried about having a bubonic plague epidemic?
At this rate, Americans won’t have to worry about the resurgence of a mass bubonic plague because it is a disease that can be kept under control with the right antibiotics and modern care.
According to Dr. Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, he believes that it is a negligible threat. In a letter, the esteemed professional states: “It is not going to become a global threat like we have seen with COVID-19. The bubonic plague is transmitted via the bite of infected fleas, and human to human transmission is rare.”
One the other hand, Professor Jimmy Whitworth of the International Public Health Department at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reiterates the same sentiments concerning the bubonic plague. He stated that, “While [the] plague causes severe illness, if it is recognized promptly, it can be treated with antibiotics, and patients will make a full recovery.”
Conclusion
Although hearing about a resurgence of the bubonic plague in Inner Mongolia will unnerve most people, given the prominence of COVID-19, the reality is that there’s nothing to worry about. For any American, the threat of another plague is quite far from materializing, meaning that staying plague-free is easy as long as you don’t eat marmots.
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