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Pneumonic plague case in Russia raises questions: How it spreads and what Indians should know
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. Story continues below this ad How is pneumonic plague different from Covid-19? The biggest difference is the organism responsible. :Covid-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, whereas pneumonic plague is caused by bacteria. Their routes of transmission also differ. Covid-19 can spread quite efficiently through respiratory particles, including from people who may have mild or no symptoms. Pneumonic plague generally requires close exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person, and person-to-person spread is much less common,” said Dr Saraf. Both illnesses can cause fever, cough, weakness and breathing difficulty, so symptoms alone may not always distinguish them, mentioned Dr Samir Garde, director, Dept of Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel. “However, pneumonic plague can progress rapidly and may cause severe pneumonia, chest pain and sometimes bloody or watery sputum. Covid-19 has a much broader range of presentations, from no symptoms to severe respiratory illness. For Indians, the key message is not to panic or assume every respiratory illness outbreak is plague. Plague is uncommon in India, and its occurrence is generally linked...
