Three Bubonic Plague Cases Reported in Northern Mongolia

Two new cases of bubonic plague were confirmed in Khuvsgul Province, northern Mongolia, bringing the total number of cases in the country to three. The health ministry said the patients are being treated at the Khuvsgul provincial hospital.

Officials have isolated 80 people who had contact with the patients. These people are also receiving treatment in local hospitals to stop the disease from spreading.

On September 7, a 24-year-old herder from Tsagaan-Uul soum died after eating marmot meat. Marmots are wild animals known to carry fleas that can spread the plague.

Currently, 17 out of Mongolia’s 21 provinces are considered at risk for bubonic plague, according to the National Centre for Zoonotic Diseases.

Bubonic plague is a serious bacterial infection spread mostly by fleas living on wild rodents like marmots. Without quick treatment, it can kill a person in less than 24 hours. The World Health Organization warns people to avoid contact with rodents and fleas to prevent infection.

This disease is often called the “Black Death” because it killed millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Back then, rats on ships helped spread the plague across continents. Many victims died and showed darkened skin due to gangrene, which gave the disease its name.

Though the worst outbreaks happened centuries ago, bubonic plague still exists today. Cases are found in parts of Africa, Asia, South America, and the western US. In the United States, about seven cases happen each year, mostly in people aged 12 to 45.

Health officials continue to watch the situation closely to prevent the disease from spreading further in Mongolia.