Fact check: Bubonic plague case found in Inner Mongolia, China
The claim: A case of bubonic plague was reported in northern China.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how diseases will thrive in whatever vector they're given. Recent reports from China's Inner Mongolia region further demonstrate how pockets of a disease can survive long after an outbreak has ended.
"Soooo...Now China has the Bubonic Plague. Buckle up, kids," one Facebook user wrote.
"Bingo card check: Who had Bubonic Plague for july?!" asked another.
The posts were referencing Chinese state media reports of a confirmed case of bubonic plague in the city of Bayannur.
The announcement was accompanied by a local alert to residents of the city warning off certain activities. The World Health Organization considers the threat of a bubonic plague outbreak minimal.
Plague and its many forms
Plague is a broad disease that spreads through a variety of animals, including rodents, flies and humans. The disease is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, which can be found all over the world.
The three forms of plague — bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic — have all caused deadly outbreaks throughout history. Bubonic plague, the strain recently found in Inner Mongolia, was the disease responsible for the Black Death, the deadliest pandemic in human history.
Bubonic plague, which is also the most common form, causes painful swelling of the lymph nodes along with fever, chills and coughing. It is typically spread through flea bites and contact with infected animals.
If administered early, however, antibiotics can stymie the worst symptoms and prevent death.
The various strains of plague have arisen in outbreaks throughout history; plague cases are fairly common in China, though over the past decade reported outbreaks of the disease have fallen steadily.
The Bayannur case
On July 5, Xinhua News reported a suspected case of plague in the Inner Mongolia region. Health authorities later said the case was a local farmer who was being treated in isolation and in stable condition.
After the announcement, local authorities issued an alert in the city, urging residents to minimize person-to-person contact. The alert also banned hunting, eating or transporting animals that could carry plague, according to the South China Morning Post.
Residents were also encouraged to report any suspected cases of plague, as well as any sick or dead marmots, animals known to spread the bacteria.
"At present, there is a risk of a human plague epidemic spreading in this city. The public should improve its self-protection awareness and ability, and report abnormal health conditions promptly," the local health authority said, according to China Daily.
The announcement comes as China has continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic, which began in Wuhan, in Hubei Province.
The World Health Organization stated it has been working with Chinese and Mongolian authorities to ward off a potential outbreak.
"We are looking at the case numbers in China. It's being well managed," WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said told a press briefing Tuesday.
"Bubonic plague has been with us and is always with us, for centuries," she said, adding, "At the moment we are not ... considering it high-risk."
Our ruling: True
Widespread reporting confirms that China's Inner Mongolia region has a confirmed case of the bubonic plague. While it has a horrific history, plague is now a relatively common and treatable disease if preempted early. Authorities in the region have taken steps to stop a potential outbreak. We rate this claim TRUE.
Our fact-check sources:
- USA TODAY, China reports bubonic plague case, raises local alert level in Inner Mongolia
- CDC FAQ on Plague
- History, Black Death
- CDC, Recommended Antibiotics for Plague
- XinhuaNet, North China region reports 1 suspected bubonic plague case
- Global Times, North China city reports 1 case of bubonic plague, launches level III early warning
- Reuters,City in China's Inner Mongolia warns after suspected bubonic plague case
- South China Morning Post, After bubonic plague confirmed, Chinese officials urge precautions
- China Daily, North China city issues bubonic plague warning following suspected case
- USA TODAY, China steps up emergency footing as coronavirus flares up again in Beijing
- Al Jazeera, Bubonic plague in China not a high risk: WHO
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Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.