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Second plague death in west China Second plague death in west China
(about 1 hour later)
A second man has died of pneumonic plague in a remote part of north-western China where thousands of people have been quarantined.A second man has died of pneumonic plague in a remote part of north-western China where thousands of people have been quarantined.
The man, 37, was identified by Chinese state media as a neighbour of the first victim, who was 32, in Ziketan, near Xinghai in Qinghai Province. The victim was identified by Chinese state media as a neighbour of the first victim, a herdsman aged 32 in Ziketan, near Xinghai in Qinghai Province.
The sparsely populated area is mostly inhabited by Tibetans.The sparsely populated area is mostly inhabited by Tibetans.
Pneumonic plague, which attacks the lungs, can spread from person to person, or from animals to people.Pneumonic plague, which attacks the lungs, can spread from person to person, or from animals to people.
This area is quite remote and the population is very small so this should make it easier to contain Vivian Tan a WHO spokeswoman in ChinaThis area is quite remote and the population is very small so this should make it easier to contain Vivian Tan a WHO spokeswoman in China
Initial symptoms include fever, headache and shortness of breath.Initial symptoms include fever, headache and shortness of breath.
Local officials in north-western China have told the BBC that the situation is under control, and that schools and offices are open as usual.Local officials in north-western China have told the BBC that the situation is under control, and that schools and offices are open as usual.
But the authorities have sealed off Ziketan, which has some 10,000 residents.But the authorities have sealed off Ziketan, which has some 10,000 residents.
No-one is being allowed leave the area, according to one official, and authorities are trying to track down people who had contact with the men who died.No-one is being allowed leave the area, according to one official, and authorities are trying to track down people who had contact with the men who died.
The local health bureau has also warned anyone with a cough or fever who has visited the town since mid-July to seek medical treatment.The local health bureau has also warned anyone with a cough or fever who has visited the town since mid-July to seek medical treatment.
Outbreak anticipatedOutbreak anticipated
Health officials in Qinghai have been concerned about pneumonic plague for some time.Health officials in Qinghai have been concerned about pneumonic plague for some time.
In Febuary, they said they had sent out 55 teams across the province to help monitor and control the disease.In Febuary, they said they had sent out 55 teams across the province to help monitor and control the disease.
One Chinese media report said this was the third outbreak of the disease in Qinghai within the last 10 years.One Chinese media report said this was the third outbreak of the disease in Qinghai within the last 10 years.
According to the World Health Organization, pneumonic plague is the most virulent and least common form of plague.According to the World Health Organization, pneumonic plague is the most virulent and least common form of plague.
Untreated, it has a very high case-fatality ratio, the WHO says.Untreated, it has a very high case-fatality ratio, the WHO says.
The WHO was informed on Saturday of the outbreak but has not been asked for help.The WHO was informed on Saturday of the outbreak but has not been asked for help.
Vivian Tan, a WHO spokeswoman in China, said authorities had reacted quickly.Vivian Tan, a WHO spokeswoman in China, said authorities had reacted quickly.
"When it comes to outbreaks of the plague it's always quite worrying, but it looks like the authorities have got the situation under control," she said."When it comes to outbreaks of the plague it's always quite worrying, but it looks like the authorities have got the situation under control," she said.
"This area is quite remote and the population is very small so this should make it easier to contain.""This area is quite remote and the population is very small so this should make it easier to contain."