The National Institute for Communicable Diseases released a report of what to do in case of any rodent-related infection. Chances of rodent infections were raised by the protracted Pikitup strike which led to the accumulation and rotting of household garbage.
- The National Health Laboratory should be alerted to any suspicion of rodent-related infection so that the necessary specimens of blood, sputum or tissue can be collected for rapid confirmation and diagnosis.
- Infected patients, their clothing and household contents should be treated with an SABS-approved insecticide against fleas. If necessary, patients should be hospitalised and treated accordingly.
- All infected sputum, discharges and articles spoiled thereafter should be disinfected. Terminal cleaning is required while the bodies of the deceased and carcasses of animals that died of plague are handled with strict aseptic precautions.
- People who have been in a household or face-to-face with patients with pneumonic plague should be provided with chemoprophylaxis and placed under surveillance for seven days. Those who refuse chemoprophylaxis should be maintained in strict isolation with careful surveillance for seven days.
- Where human fleas are involved, all contacts of bubonic plague should be disinfected with SABS-approved insecticide. They should be evaluated for chemoprophylaxis while confirmed or suspected cases should be treated accordingly.
- By preventing exposure to infected fleas, infected bodies, as well as patients with the pneumonic form of plague, new infections can be avoided.
It is important for the community to manage their own waste, be vigilant around proper hygiene at home and rodent control. By following the above tips and ensuring there are no fleas in your home, the transmission of plague can be avoided.
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