Bioterrorism Containment - Symptomatic Patients

• Once an outbreak of plague has been confirmed in the community, patients with febrile respiratory illnesses, or other plague compatible syndromes, will be directed to seek evaluation and care.
• They will be referred to designated clinics or hospitals where physicians and health professionals familiar with plague and similar illnesses will evaluate, diagnose, and triage patients.
• Infection control procedures of isolation and respiratory droplet precautions should be implemented immediately, if the patient is coughing.
• Anyone in the affected area with fever (of 38.5°C or higher) or cough should immediately be treated with antimicrobials for presumptive pneumonic plague. Delaying therapy until tests confirm plague will greatly decrease the person's chance of survival.