KemiO
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Bubonic plague infected flea
Bubonic plague, known as the Black Death which killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe during the Middle Ages has resurfaced.
Eric Bertherat, World Health Organization epidemic disease expert told the BBC there were about 400 cases of bubonic plague reported in 2012. The authorities have tried to calm fears of an epidemic and have secluded more than 100 people.
Dr Bertherat said that bubonic plague in Central Asia is usually transmitted by fleas attached to small wild mammals.
The teenager, named as Temir Issakunov, came was infected with the plague through the bite of a flea in Kyrgyzstan. Reports suggest that the infected flea could have come from a marmot.
Kyrgyz authorities said more than 2,000 people are being tested for bubonic plague in the Issik-Kul region. Checkpoints have been set up and travel and livestock transport restricted.
