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Prompt laboratory diagnosis in timely containment of a plague outbreak in India

Veena Mittal1, D Bhattacharya, U V S Rana

  • 1National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi-110054.

The Journal of Communicable Diseases
|October 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A 2002 pneumonic plague outbreak in Himachal Pradesh reported 16 cases and 4 deaths. Laboratory confirmation, including Yersinia pestis isolation and molecular tests, was crucial for timely outbreak control.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • A pneumonic plague outbreak occurred in Hatkoti village, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, in February 2002.
  • The outbreak resulted in 16 cases and 4 deaths, highlighting the need for rapid diagnostic confirmation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on a focal outbreak of pneumonic plague.
  • To emphasize the critical role of timely laboratory investigations in confirming diagnoses and controlling outbreaks.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case reporting and epidemiological data collection.
  • Laboratory confirmation including Yersinia pestis isolation, bacteriophage lysis, and molecular tests (pla and F1 genes).
  • Serological testing for antibodies against Yersinia pestis F1 antigen.

Main Results:

  • 16 cases and 4 deaths were reported during the outbreak.
  • Laboratory confirmation was achieved in 10 cases (63%).
  • Yersinia pestis was isolated from 3 cases, and molecular tests confirmed its presence in 4 cases. Serological tests showed significant antibody responses.

Conclusions:

  • Timely and systematic laboratory investigations are essential for rapid and accurate diagnosis of plague outbreaks.
  • Effective laboratory confirmation is fundamental for implementing timely control measures and preventing the spread of the disease.
  • This outbreak underscores the importance of robust diagnostic capabilities in public health surveillance and response.

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