The groundhog is one of the animals likely to transmit the plague to humans. - Samuel Meystre / Caters N / Sipa

For several days, cases of bubonic plague have appeared in China, but also in Mongolia. The World Health Organization (WHO) responded on Tuesday during a press briefing in Geneva. "For the moment, we do not consider it a high risk, but we are closely monitoring" the situation, considered "well managed", in partnership with the authorities of the two countries, said a spokesperson. WHO speech, Margaret Harris.

Authorities in the city of Bayannur, located in Inner Mongolia in northern China, have announced an arsenal of measures after the discovery this weekend of a case of bubonic plague. The man, a shepherd, is in stable condition in a hospital in Bayannur, the city health committee said in a statement on Sunday.

A case of bubonic plague detected in Inner Mongolia https://t.co/Tuh5rv6bhX

- 20 Minutes (@ 20Minutes) July 6, 2020

The commission banned the hunting and consumption of animals that could transmit the plague - especially groundhogs - until the end of the year, and urged residents to report any dead or sick rodents.

Another suspicious case involving a 15-year-old boy was reported on Monday in neighboring Mongolia, according to the China News Agency. And two other cases were confirmed last week in the Mongolian province of Khovd involving brothers who had eaten groundhog meat, the agency said. Nearly 150 people who came into contact with the two men were quarantined.

A “rare” disease but endemic in certain regions

In a note sent to the media on Tuesday, the WHO claims to have been informed by China, "on July 6, of a case of bubonic plague in Inner Mongolia". According to the organization, sporadic plague cases have been reported in the past decade in this country.

The WHO stresses that the plague is "rare" and that it is generally found in certain geographical areas of the globe where it is still endemic. "The bubonic plague has been and still is with us for centuries," said Margaret Harris.

Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease and is spread from animals to humans through the bites of infected fleas or through direct contact with the carcasses of small infected animals. It is not easily transmitted between people.

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