The Bubonic Plague is a disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which is found in animals, particularly rodents. It can be transmitted to humans through infected animals and fleas. Best Book for Current Affairs & General Knowledge Preparation
In the Middle Ages (5th-15th century), plague was also known as the ‘Black Death’ as it was responsible for the deaths of millions of people in Europe.
The Bubonic plague severely impacted India too. The first official case was reported on 23 September 1896 in what was then Bombay. It was a part of the third plague pandemic, which originated in China in 1855.
The disease was spread in India through trading ships, hitting the port cities of Calcutta, Karachi, Punjab and United Provinces among others.
Over 12 million Indians were estimated to have succumbed to this disease.
The situation went so out of hand that it led to the Epidemic Disease Act of 1897 being ‘hastily’ drafted. The law has the “power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease”.
The plague is a life-threatening disease but if caught early, can be treated with antibiotics. At times, antibiotics alone are not enough — additionally intravenous fluids and extra oxygen are required to treat a person.
There were 3,248 cases worldwide, leading to 584 deaths — a fatality rate of 18% — between 2010 and 2015 according to WHO.
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