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Cure for Plague
While not technically a cure for plague, prevention is the key to keeping the disease from spreading. The plague vaccine is no longer commercially available in the United States. However, if a person does contract the disease, it must be diagnosed and treated early. Immediate treatment offers a cure for plague in 85 percent of cases.
Is There a Cure for Plague?
The best cure for plague is preventing it in the first place. However, if a person does develop plague, early treatment offers the best chance for recovery. The plague vaccine is no longer commercially available in the United States.Prevention as a Cure for Plague
Plague will probably continue to exist in its many localized geographic areas around the world, and plague outbreaks in wild rodent hosts will likely continue to occur. Attempts to eliminate wild rodent plague are costly and futile; therefore, plague prevention is directed toward reducing the threat of infection in humans in high-risk areas through three techniques:- Environmental management
- Public health education
- Preventive drug therapy.
(Click Plague Prevention for more information on techniques that can offer a preventive cure for plague.)
Early Treatment as a Cure for Plague
Plague is an illness that progresses rapidly and can result in death within one week of its symptoms occurring; therefore, it is important that plague be diagnosed and treated early. Early treatment offers a cure for plague in 85 percent of cases. Left untreated, the body is able to effectively fight off the plague bacteria (Yersinia pestis) in 10 to 50 percent of cases.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD