US man critical after contracting bubonic plague
Man contracted the disease after being bitten whilst attempting to get a mouse away from a stray cat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man has been hospitalised in the US after contracting the Bubonic Plague.
The unidentified man, who is in his 50s checked himself into hospital last Friday after developing symptoms of the disease.
According to The Oregonian newspaper the man contracted the disease after being bitten whilst attempting to get a mouse away from a stray cat.
The man, who is from the rural area of Crook County, is thought to have been bitten on Saturday June 2, and checked himself into hospital the following Friday.
He had developed swollen lymph nodes, which is a common symptom of the now relatively rare disease.
He is reportedly now in a critical condition after deteriorating in hospital.
Symptoms of the disease can include abdominal pain, and bleeding from the anus, mouth or nose.
Ten to twenty people a year are diagnosed with the Bubonic Plague in the US.
There have, however, only been four fatalities from the disease in America since 1934.
Up to three thousand cases of the disease are reported worldwide every year.
The current victim is the fifth case in Oregan since 1995.
Known as the Black Death the plague wiped out a third of Europe's population during the 14th century.
Humans can catch the disease by having contact with rodents carrying Yersinia pestis - the bacterium that causes the disease.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments