Hulunbuir health authorities urge plague precautions, say outbreak risk low

Health authorities in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, have reminded the public to stay alert and take proper precautions against plague, while saying the likelihood of a local outbreak remains low based on recent monitoring, according to a notice published on Saturday by the Hulunbuir News official WeChat account.

The Hulunbuir Center for Disease Control and Prevention advised people who have traveled from plague-endemic areas in the Russian Far East to monitor their health. Those who develop suspected symptoms should seek medical attention immediately and inform doctors of their travel history to plague-endemic areas.

The center said no human plague cases have been reported in the city since 1927, and routine surveillance in recent years has found no plague outbreaks among rodents. Based on its assessment, the possibility of a local outbreak remains low.

However, given Hulunbuir's long history of plague activity and that it shares a border with eastern Russia, the center urged the public to maintain awareness and adopt effective prevention measures.

The advisory came amid international attention over reports that an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East died after developing pneumonia of an unknown cause.

Though the specific cause of the case has not yet been officially confirmed, the nature of the institution and the region's natural plague-foci background have prompted discussion over potential public health risks.

Plague is a Class A infectious disease in China caused by Yersinia pestis. It can spread through flea bites, contact with infected animals, and respiratory droplets. The disease is characterized by rapid onset, strong infectiousness, and potentially high fatality rates.

Its incubation period is generally one to six days, with symptoms including sudden high fever, chills, severe headache, and, in serious cases, impaired consciousness, the center said.

Health authorities stressed that plague is preventable, controllable, and treatable. Early isolation and timely antibiotic treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

The Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention also issued a reminder on Friday, urging the public not to panic or spread rumors. It advised people traveling to natural plague-foci areas to avoid contact with potentially infected animals, take precautions against fleas and rodents, and seek prompt medical care if symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, coughing up blood, or breathing difficulties develop.