THIS IS ONLY AN EXERCISE.
Local health officials have announced that they have confirmed an outbreak of pneumonic plague. To this point, 102 people have been hospitalized and 12 people who exhibited plague-like symptoms have died.
So far, four of six cases have tested positive for plague, a contagious illness that can spread through the air.
Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness and rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough and sometimes bloody or watery sputum. The pneumonia progresses for two to four days and may cause respiratory failure and shock. Without early treatment, patients may die.
Early treatment of pneumonic plague is essential. Antibiotics should be given as soon as possible. To reduce the chance of death, antibiotics should be given within the first 24 hours of symptoms.
Antibiotic treatment for seven days will protect people who have had direct, close contact with infected patients. If available, wear a tight-fitting surgical mask. Masks are available at triage locations that have been set up throughout the county.
THIS IS ONLY AN EXERCISE.
