**Pneumonic Plague Extended and Short Messages**

**Health and Safety Information for the First Hours**

**Table of Contents**

[**Pneumonic Plague Extended Message** 2](#__RefHeading___Toc161820100)

[**Pneumonic Plague Short Message** 5](#__RefHeading___Toc161820101)

**Grade Level: 8.4**

**Pneumonic Plague** **Extended Message**

**Health and Safety Information for the First Hours**

**POINTS:**

1.  What is happening?

2.  What is plague?

3.  What are the symptoms of pneumonic plague?

4.  What to do if you are experiencing symptoms of pneumonic plague and
    you live in *xxx* *area*

5.  What to do if you think you might have been exposed to pneumonic
    plague

6.  What to do if you are concerned about plague

7.  What is being done and how to get more information

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

***What is happening?***

-   This is an urgent health message from the U.S. Department of Health
    and Human Services (HHS). Please pay careful attention to this
    message to protect your health and that of others.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Public health officials believe that the bacteria that cause
    pneumonic plague may have been deliberately released into the air in
    the *xxx area*.

-   Pneumonic plague is a life-threatening, serious infection of the
    lungs. It is caused by breathing in the plague bacteria.

-   Plague can be spread from person to person. Avoid close and direct
    contact with people with plague symptoms*.*

-   We have not confirmed the deliberate release of plague and do not
    know the extent or source of the outbreak.

-   Although a type of plague called bubonic plague does occasionally
    happen naturally in some parts of the US, pneumonic plague is even
    less frequent , which is the cause for concern.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Local, state, and federal officials, including HHS, FBI, and
    Homeland Security, are working together. Updated announcements will
    be made as soon as officials know more.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Ill persons should seek care immediately. Symptoms include fever,
    headache, muscle aches and chills, chest pain, and cough. Some
    people may cough up blood and have stomach pains. Most people
    develop symptoms within 1 to 4 days after exposure.

-   Because plague symptoms may be similar to those of the flu early in
    the illness, anyone with symptoms of the flu or pneumonic plague
    should seek medical care right away.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   We have challenges ahead, and we are working to find out more about
    this outbreak. By staying informed and following instructions from
    health officials, you can protect yourself, your family, and the
    community against this public health threat.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For more information about the plague, visit the HHS Web site at
    [http:www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/), the Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention's (CDC) plague page at
    http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/plague/, or call the CDC Hotline at
    1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest information.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   This message contains additional information that can help protect
    your health and the health of others.

***What is plague?***

-   Plague is a life-threatening disease caused by bacteria.

-   Some forms of plague, such as bubonic plague, occur naturally. Every
    year, a few cases of plague occur in the United States and most of
    them are the bubonic form of the disease.

-   However, in this case, officials think that plague may have been
    spread intentionally by releasing plague bacteria into the
    environment, either indoors or outdoors.

-   Officials are concerned that pneumonic plague has been spread. It is
    an infection of the lungs caused by inhaling the bacteria.

-   Pneumonic plague can spread from person to person. The bacteria can
    spread through the respiratory droplets caused by sneezing or
    coughing. This usually occurs through close and direct contact,
    within 6 feet, with a sick person.

***What are the symptoms of pneumonic plague?***

-   Symptoms of pneumonic plague usually occur between 1 and 6 days
    after contact with the plague bacteria.

-   The first signs of illness include fever, headache, weakness, muscle
    aches, cough, shortness of breath, and chills. These symptoms may be
    similar to those of the flu; however, symptoms of plague are usually
    more serious. Some people may cough up blood, feel sick to their
    stomach, throw up, or have stomach pains. Pneumonia can develop
    quickly.

-   Plague is not spread from clothing, furniture, utensils, or bedding.

***What to do if you are experiencing symptoms of pneumonic plague and
you live in xxx area***

-   If you are experiencing symptoms of plague*,* begin medical
    treatment as soon as possible after the first symptoms to increase
    the chance of getting well.

-   For more information on how and where to get treatment, call your
    local public health department at *xxx-xxx-xxxx* or your doctor*.*
    Describe your symptoms and say why you are concerned.

-   Until you can get medical help, stay away from others to avoid
    spreading the disease.

-   Please follow these directions to avoid spreading the disease to
    others:

1.  Cover your mouth when you cough..

2.  Do not cough near others. Wear a tight fitting surgical mask if
    possible, or use a piece of cloth or makeshift mask if no other mask
    is available.

***What to do if you think you might have been exposed to pneumonic
plague***

-   If you were near *xxx* *area*, you may have been exposed to plague.
    You may also be exposed if you have been in close contact with
    someone who has the symptoms of pneumonic plague, such as coughing.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Even if you don't feel sick, if you think you might have been
    exposed to plague, call your doctor or your local public health
    department at *xxx-xxx-xxxx* and explain your concerns. They will
    give you information on how and where to get help*.*

-   If you have been exposed, the right treatment may keep you from
    getting sick.

-   Several types of antibiotics are effective for treating and
    preventing the disease. People who are ill should seek care
    immediately. People who have been exposed but are not yet ill should
    listen for instructions from authorities. Antibiotics should be
    given within 24 hours of the first symptoms.

-   

***What to do if you are concerned about plague***

-   It is natural to be concerned or afraid at a time like this. If you
    do not have any symptoms, have not been near *xxx* *area*, and have
    not been near someone sick with plague, you most likely have **not**
    been exposed to plague.

-   People who are concerned about plague exposure will be evaluated and
    treated if necessary. To limit the spread of disease, health
    authorities need to find and treat those who are sick or have been
    in direct contact with a sick person.

-   To avoid getting sick, stay away from people with flu-like symptoms
    and stay away from the area where officials believe the bacteria
    were released.

-   If you *must* have direct and close contact with someone with
    plague, wear a tightly fitting surgical mask.

-   To stay as safe and healthy as possible, stay informed and follow
    the instructions of public health officials.

***What is being done and how to get more information***

-   Local, state, and federal officials, including HHS, FBI, and
    Homeland Security, are working together. Updated announcements will
    be made as soon as officials know more.

-   Stay informed by turning to the radio, television, or Internet news
    for updated health and safety announcements. Go to \[[insert local
    media information here]{.underline}\] to hear the latest information
    from local officials.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For more information about the plague, visit the HHS Web site at
    [http:www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/), the Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention's (CDC) plague page at
    http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/plague/, or call the CDC Hotline at
    1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest information.

**Grade Level: 10.5**

**Pneumonic Plague Short Message**

**Health and Safety Information for the First Hours**

-   This is an urgent health message from the U.S. Department of Health
    and Human Services.

-   Public health officials believe that the bacteria that cause
    pneumonic plague may have been deliberately released into the air in
    the *xxx area*.

-   Pneumonic plague is a life-threatening, serious infection of the
    lungs caused by inhaling the bacteria.

-   At this time, we have not confirmed the deliberate release of plague
    and do not know the extent or source of the outbreak.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Local, state, and federal officials, including HHS, FBI, and
    Homeland Security, are working together. Updated announcements will
    be made as soon as officials know more.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Plague can be spread from person to person. Avoid close contact with
    people who have plague symptoms*.*

-   Ill persons should seek care immediately.

-   Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and chills, chest
    pain, and cough. Some people may cough up blood and have stomach
    pains. Most people develop symptoms within 1 to 4 days after
    exposure.

-   Because flu and plague symptoms may be similar early in the illness,
    anyone with symptoms of the flu or pneumonic plague should seek
    medical care right away.

-   Although a type of plague called bubonic plague does occasionally
    occur naturally in some parts of the country, pneumonic plague is
    even less frequent , which is the cause for concern.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   We have challenges ahead, and we are working to find out more about
    this outbreak. By staying informed and following instructions from
    health officials, you can protect yourself, your family, and the
    community against this public health threat.

-   Go to \[[insert local media information here]{.underline}\] to hear
    the latest information from local officials.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For more information about the plague, visit the HHS Web site at
    [http:www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/), the Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention's (CDC) plague page at
    http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/plague/, or call the CDC Hotline at
    1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest information.