Black Plague Discovered in Michigan

The Bubonic Plague, more commonly known as the Black Death, has reportedly showed up in Michigan.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, out of the 14 confirmed cases of the Black plague across the nation so far this year, one of those unfortunate souls is from Marquette County.

However, health officials are asking people not to panic because just because a Michigan resident has tested positive for the virus doesn’t mean that it was contracted in the state. In fact, it has been noted that the infected person “recently returned from Colorado in an areas with reported plague activity.”

Although the plague can be passed through human contact, this flea-borne illness is not the almost certain death sentence that it once was centuries ago. Between the years of 1346 to 1353, the Black Death was responsible for killing around 75 million people. These days, thanks to modern medicine, statistics show that only around one person per year dies from the plague in the United States.

Therefore, the concept of the plague being found in a single Michigan resident is not as big of a deal as it sounds. Reports suggest that the man’s infection is localized, so health officials are not concerned about it spreading.

However, as with any potentially serious illness, it is important to seek medical attention if you begin displaying these specific symptoms: swollen, painful lymph nodes (typically around the armpit, groin and neck), abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting.