Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Can I catch bubonic plague in Georgia?
Posted: 06.18.2012 at 5:39 PM
Updated: 06.19.2012 at 10:15 AM
0
A patient diagnosed with bubonic plague  / Courtesy: Centers For Disease Control
Photo

ALBANY,GA --
In our Facebook story of the day, you wanted to know if the bubonic plague was something you could catch in southwest Georgia?

Dr. Jacqueline Grant with the Southwest Health District says bubonic plague is very rare, especially in the east, where the climate is more humid.

A man in Oregon contracted the disease after being bitten by an infected feral cat.

Dr. Grant says it's a good idea to stay away from stray animals of any kind.

“That's just not a wise thing to do, you're going to get bitten and whereas here, it's probably not going to be bubonic plague, but it could be something else, rabies for example,” says Grant.

The disease is treatable with antibiotics and symptoms include a swollen and tender lymph gland, fever, chills headache and extreme exhaustion.

Related Links

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
7-year-old slays 1,000-pound creature
Kerri Copello  |  Sunday, May 19, 2013  |  25 comments
Thumbnail
Albany City Commission exploring dangerous dog ordinance
Jessica Fairley  |  Today at 9:34 AM  |  6 comments
Thumbnail
Is Albany suffering from a "brain drain?"
Melanie Kendall   |  Yesterday at 1:16 PM
Follow My Southwest GA
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Win a booster seat!
Click above for your chance to win a booster seat and get safety tips for your child!
Bright Side
Spreading the good news around Southwest Georgia!
Legal
Finding the right lawyer to handle your needs is important.
ADVERTISEMENT