In the United States, plagues are a rare sight these days, and this holds true for Florida as well.
According to the Florida state archives, the Sunshine State was once struck by the deadliest plague in history at the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1920, an outbreak of the bubonic plague, also known as the “Black Death,” occurred in the state’s panhandle.
The CDC has reported that the plague is caused by the bacterium “Yersinia pestis,” which can be transmitted to humans through fleas carried by rodents.
According to the CDC, symptoms of the illness can appear within a few days to more than a week. These symptoms often include fevers, headaches, chills, and painful lymph nodes.
During the 14th century, a devastating plague swept through Europe, causing the deaths of a significant portion of the population. The disease earned its nickname due to the ominous dark lesions that afflicted its victims.
According to state records, the plague was not eradicated after the outbreak. In fact, a physician in Pensacola made a discovery about it in the summer of 1920.
A patient experienced a sudden onset of illness, accompanied by fever and delirium. Additionally, a swollen gland near the groin was observed. Following communication with state health officials, it has been confirmed that the plague has arrived in Pensacola.
After careful investigation, officials determined that the disease could not be transmitted between individuals. Instead, they discovered that the source of the disease was traced back to fleas found on rats in the affected area.
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An extensive campaign was initiated to eradicate the rats and mice that were the cause of the outbreak. A staggering number of 35,000 rodents were captured during the period from June 1920 to July 1921. In a surprising discovery, officials have found a rat that was infested with a staggering 211 fleas, far exceeding the average number of fleas per rodent, which stands at around 10. This finding highlights the extent of the infestation problem and raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with these pests.
Whenever a rodent infected with the plague bacteria was discovered, crews would promptly locate and clean up the source to prevent further attraction of rodents to the area.
Authorities deployed a significant amount of cyanide, totaling over 1,200 pounds, along with nearly 2,000 pints of sulphuric acid to effectively fumigate the targeted buildings. Seven houses have been demolished, with a staggering 280 truckloads of debris transported to the nearby dumps.
In a recent development, city leaders have implemented new ordinances that mandate business owners and residents to take measures to “ratproof” their buildings. Additionally, plank sidewalks have been replaced with more durable materials such as stone, brick, or concrete.
A total of 10 confirmed cases were reported in the outbreak, resulting in the unfortunate loss of seven lives. According to the Florida Department of Health, this is the most recent reported case of the plague in the state.
Is it possible for a similar event to occur once more? According to health officials, there is no cause for alarm. Plague infections are still prevalent in rural areas of the western U.S., but they are even more widespread in parts of Africa and Asia, as reported by the CDC.
According to the FDLE, there is a concern that animals carrying plague bacteria could be brought into certain areas of the state, potentially leading to an outbreak.
The plague, known for its high fatality rate, can be effectively treated using commonly available antibiotics. Receiving treatment promptly after infection greatly increases a patient’s chances of making a full recovery.
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