Chinese Government Closes Tourist Spots in Inner Mongolia Following Confirmed Cases of Bubonic Plague

Officials in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia announced recently, and they have closed some tourist spots following confirmation this week, of a case of bubonic plague.

The case was reportedly discovered in Bayannur, capital Beijing's northwest part. According to Xinhua, a state-run news agency, five neighboring greenery scenic spots in the area have currently been closed with coming tourists strictly banned from entering to the area affected, as well as going to regions surrounding it.

More so, Xinhua reported, officials of Inner Mongolia have also imposed stricter administration of other eco-friendly tourist spots to ensure guests not to feed, neither touch wild animals.

The initiative, according to the report, aims to reduce the population of rodents and fleas that may be carriers of diseases.

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Level 3 Warning in Bayannur

Hospital officials in Bayannur first warned on Saturday, the authorities of the city, of the suspected case of bubonic plague. 

Then on Sunday, the city was reportedly "placed under Level 3 warning" to prevent the plague from worsening. Level 3, according to health experts, is the second-lowest of the four-level system of the plague. 

In addition to Xinhua's report, it indicated that doctors officially diagnosed the said case on Tuesday. Since the diagnosis, the same report suggested that the individual who got infected has been in isolation and undergone treatment in a hospital. The same patient is currently "in stable condition."

The plague, which usually results from bacteria and transferred through bites of flea and infested animals, is also considered the most fatal pandemic in the history of humans-the the so-called "Black Death," which claimed the lives of approximately 50 million individuals during the Middle Ages in Europe. 

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No Reason to Panic

One of the three forms of plague, bubonic plague, according to health experts, shows the following symptoms: swollen and painful lymph nodes, and chills, coughs, and fever.

Along with the news of closing some tourist destinations in Inner Mongolia, scientists cautioned the public not to panic at the reported cases as the plague has "never really gone away," and that today's antibiotics can help in the prevention of complications and even death if appropriately given.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said through China Daily, a state-run newspaper, it is currently monitoring the situation, in collaboration with Chinese and Mongolian officials.

In connection to this, health authorities cautioned the public to report any discovery of sick or dead marmots, "And not to catch, skin or even eat them."

Marmots are a type of ground squirrel in the larger size. People in some parts of China, as well as the nearby country, Mongolia, eat them. 

Marmot-Eating

Eating meat or organs of marmots, according to study, has been associated with a smattering of other current bubonic plague cases through the Chinese border in nearby Mongolia.

In addition, last week, there was confirmation of two cases, and on Monday, another suspected case was reported.

The said cases urged authorities in Russia, which restricts Mongolia, to caution people residing in the border area not to either search for, or consume the meat of marmots, and take preemptive measures to fight insect bites.

RIA Novosti, a Russian state-run news agency, reported that according to the Russian Embassy in Mongolia, "there are no grounds for serious worry" since the authorities in Mongolia have already enacted travel restrictions, not to mention, putting those who are infected in isolation.

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