Russia fights to stop an outbreak of bubonic plague by vaccinating 32,000 people after virus spreads from Mongolia to Siberian tourist region
- Plague has been detected in the Altai Mountains for the first time in 62 years
- The rush to vaccinate comes after two deaths in Mongolia and two in China
- Some 18,090 people have been immunised in the scenic Altai Republic
Russia has stepped up vaccinations against the bubonic plague amid signs of a ‘alarming’ westward spread of the Black Death.
The deadly disease has been detected in the Altai Mountains, a popular Siberian tourist region, including an area where it has not been seen since monitoring began 62 years ago.
The rush to vaccinate more than 32,000 comes after two deaths in Mongolia and two in China, which both share borders with Russia.
Some 18,090 people have been immunised in scenic Altai Republic after the spread in marmots and other rodents, announced health officials.
Russia has stepped up vaccinations against the bubonic plague amid signs of a ‘alarming’ westward spread of the Black Death after it was detected in the Altai Mountains
![The deadly disease has been detected in the Altai Mountains, a popular Siberian tourist region, including an area where it has not been seen since monitoring began 62 years ago. Pictured: Anti-plague processing in Kosh-Agach district](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/14/13/31947146-8627429-image-a-15_1597406949679.jpg)
The deadly disease has been detected in the Altai Mountains, a popular Siberian tourist region, including an area where it has not been seen since monitoring began 62 years ago. Pictured: Anti-plague processing in Kosh-Agach district
![The rush to vaccinate more than 32,000 comes after two deaths in Mongolia and two in China, which both share borders with Russia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/14/13/31947066-8627429-The_rush_to_vaccinate_more_than_32_000_comes_after_two_deaths_in-a-29_1597408065237.jpg)
The rush to vaccinate more than 32,000 comes after two deaths in Mongolia and two in China, which both share borders with Russia
Earlier this week, the bubonic plague spread by fleas was detected in southern districts of Tuva Republic – where regional chief Sholban Kara-ool has ordered the immunisation of 14,000 people living close to the infection source.
‘The disease is dangerous,’ he said, insisting that everyone aged over two must be injected.
The westward spread into Altai has been detected in five locations so far.
‘A particularly alarming aspect is the detection of the epizootic plague…. on the Ukok plateau in the Kosh-Agach district, for the first time in more than 60-year s of observation,’ said Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s health watchdog.
![Earlier this week, the bubonic plague spread by fleas was detected in southern districts of Tuva Republic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/14/13/31947064-8627429-image-a-13_1597406921906.jpg)
Earlier this week, the bubonic plague spread by fleas was detected in southern districts of Tuva Republic
![The entire local camel population of 320 beasts was also vaccinated. Warnings have been sent to local hotels and campsites](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/14/13/31947142-8627429-image-a-28_1597407343374.jpg)
The entire local camel population of 320 beasts was also vaccinated. Warnings have been sent to local hotels and campsites
This stunning mountainous area ‘is visited by a large number of tourists’ but also livestock breeders.
‘Infection of people is possible, first of all, when cutting marmots after poaching, or through the bites of infected fleas and ticks that remain in the holes of rodents after their death from the plague.’
The organisation said: ‘In order to prevent this dangerous disease in the Altai Republic, 18,090 people were vaccinated against plague, including 16,500 people in Kosh-Agach district.’
The entire local camel population of 320 beasts was also vaccinated. Warnings have been sent to local hotels and campsites.
![Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents like marmots. Pictured: Hunter killed marmot in Kosh-Agach district](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/14/13/31947150-8627429-Bubonic_plague_is_a_bacterial_disease_spread_by_fleas_living_on_-a-30_1597408065282.jpg)
Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents like marmots. Pictured: Hunter killed marmot in Kosh-Agach district
![Some 18,090 people have been immunised in scenic Altai Republic after the spread in marmots and other rodents, announced health officials](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/14/13/31947158-8627429-image-a-16_1597406991180.jpg)
Some 18,090 people have been immunised in scenic Altai Republic after the spread in marmots and other rodents, announced health officials
A 42 year old man died in Khovd province of Mongolia, it was announced this week.
He died after purchasing two infected marmot rodents, seen as a food delicacy. His district of Jargalant was sealed off and put into lockdown over the death.
Earlier a 15-year-old boy died from the Black Death in Mongolia. In China’s Inner Mongolia, two deaths from the plague have been recorded.
Two other Russian regions are taking action against the killer disease – TransBaikal and Buryatia.
Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents like marmots. It kills in less than 24 hours if not treated promptly.
Up to 200 million people were killed by the Black Death – bubonic plague – in the 14th century.