District in Inner Mongolia declared a high risk because of the threat of plague

The authorities of the district Bayan Nur city in the Autonomous region of Inner Mongolia in Northern China on Sunday announced a high epidemiological risk in connection with the potential danger of occurrence of local outbreaks of plague. As stated in a statement released by the regional administration, it will be effective until the beginning of 2021.

Authorities reported that the decision about strengthening of control was made after admission to a local medical facility patient with symptoms that are usually observed in cases of bubonic plague. In connection with the objective risk, the government advises the public to follow the personal hygiene and avoid places where there are rodents. In the case of sickness and fever, as specified, should go to the hospital.

The government recalls that in China it is forbidden to hunt vermin (usually on tarragano, also called Mongolian marmots — approx. TASS), eating them or to keep at home.

In China there are four levels of control at the risk of the epidemic. In the district Bayan Nur entered the 3rd (high) the alarm mode, according to which measures to prevent the mass outbreaks of the disease oversees the County administration. In case if there are serious signs of deterioration, the problem may engage provincial (2nd level, high) or Central (1st level max) by the government.

According to official data, some of the inhabitants of the steppe zone in Northern China and neighbouring Mongolia, from time to time eat of tarbagans. This often leads to tragic consequences, because these rodents are known as carriers of plague.