Plague & Malaria

Question 1

What is the definition of plague?

Answer 1

An acute specific communicable disease caused by Yersinia pestis.

Question 2

Which country in Libya suffered from attacks of plague?

Answer 2

Tobruk.

Question 3

What are the epidemiological features of plague?

Answer 3

Agent = bacteria (Yersinia pestis) Gram -ve. Reservoirs = wild rodents and camels. Vector = flea (Xenopsylla cheopis). Host = all ages and both sexes.

Question 4

What type of immunity is provided by an attack of plague?

Answer 4

An attack of plague gives lifelong immunity.

Question 5

What are the types of plague?

Answer 5

1. bubonic 2. pneumonic 3. septicemic.

Question 6

What are the modes of transmission of plague?

Answer 6

Vector borne, air borne (pneumonic plague), mechanical transmission (rare).

Question 7

What is the incubation period for plague?

Answer 7

1-7 days (1-4 days in pneumonic).

Question 8

Prevention and control of plague

Answer 8

1. Tetracycline even before confirmation of diagnosis.
2. Tetracycline for all contacts and high risk of infection.
3. Vaccination (formalin killed or live attenuated vaccine).
4. health education
5. enviromental control (destruction of rodents and dusting of fleas)
6. International measures