A New Mexico man has died after contracting the bubonic plague, a rare disease that can be fatal. This is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020. The state's Department of Health says this was only the fourth case in four years.
This is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020.
The bubonic plague is a rare disease that can be fatal.
It was only the fourth case in four years.
<br>Humans typically develop fever, headache, chills, weakness and one or more swollen lymph nodes within two to eight days after being infected with the plague.<br>
The state's Department of Health is conducting an environmental assessment to look for ongoing risks.
It can be spread through direct contact with infected tissues or sick humans or animals including rodents, wildlife and pets.
<br>People can also get the plague by inhaling respiratory droplets containing bacteria.<br>
Once it's in the bloodstream, septicemic plague is a severe illness that can cause skin and other tissues to turn black and die.
Bubonic turns into pneumonic when it reaches the lungs which can lead to respiratory failure and shock.
<br>The disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics if diagnosed within 24 hours of first symptoms.<br>
It's most commonly seen in late spring to early fall and in rural or semirural areas of the Western U.S., particularly Southwestern states like New Mexico.
<br>In February, someone in Oregon was diagnosed with bubonic plague for the first time since 2015.
Accuracy
The man resided in Lincoln County
Humans typically develop fever, headache, chills, weakness and one or more swollen lymph nodes within two to eight days after being infected with the plague.
A man from Lincoln County died of the plague after being hospitalized for it.
This is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020.
Accuracy
The man from Lincoln County died of the plague after being hospitalized for it.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the man who died from plague was hospitalized for a bacterial disease but does not specify which type of bacteria caused his death. This information is crucial to understanding the severity and risk posed by this particular strain of plague. Secondly, while the article mentions that infected animals are usually dogs or cats, it fails to provide any details on how these animals can contract the disease themselves or pass it onto humans. Lastly, there is no mention of any measures taken by public health officials to prevent further spread of the disease in Lincoln County.
The article does not specify which type of bacteria caused the man's death from plague.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the state health department announced public safety steps related to the death would be taken. This implies that the state health department has some sort of expertise or knowledge in this matter, but there is no evidence provided to support this claim.
The disease is generally spread through infected flea bites.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the man who died from plague was hospitalized for it. This implies that he may have been infected by someone else and not through direct contact with an animal or flea bite. Additionally, there is no mention of any investigation into how the man contracted the disease.
]The unidentified man died after he was hospitalized for the disease,
. The bubonic plague is a rare disease that can be fatal.
. It was the first death in New Mexico since 2020 and only the fourth case in four years.
. Humans typically develop fever, headache, chills, weakness and one or more swollen lymph nodes within two to eight days after being infected with the plague.
The disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics if diagnosed within 24 hours of first symptoms.
. In February, someone in Oregon was diagnosed with bubonic plague for the first time since 2015.
Accuracy
The man resided in Lincoln County and NMDOH staff is conducting outreach to area residents. An environmental assessment will also be conducted in the community to look for ongoing risk.
. Bubonic turns into pneumonic when it reaches the lungs which can lead to respiratory failure and shock.
. The disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics if diagnosed within 24 hours of first symptoms.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that this was the first plague death in New Mexico since 2020 when there were four cases and its first human case since 2021. However, according to the CDC's website, there have been two deaths associated with bubonic plague in New Mexico between January 1st and August 31st of this year alone (as of October). Therefore, it is not accurate for the author to claim that this was the first death since 2020. Secondly, when discussing how humans can contract the plague, the article states that people can become infected through direct contact with infected tissues or sick humans or animals. However, according to the CDC's website, it is not possible for a person to get bubonic plague from another human being unless they have been bitten by an infected flea and then transmitted it directly onto their skin. Lastly, when discussing how the New Mexico man contracted the plague and why it affected him so severely, there are no specific details provided in the article. This lack of information makes it difficult to determine if deception is being used.
The article states that people can become infected through direct contact with infected tissues or sick humans or animals. However, according to the CDC's website, it is not possible for a person to get bubonic plague from another human being unless they have been bitten by an infected flea and then transmitted it directly onto their skin.
The author claims that this was the first plague death in New Mexico since 2020 when there were four cases and its first human case since 2021, but according to the CDC's website, there have been two deaths associated with bubonic plague in New Mexico between January 1st and August 31st of this year alone (as of October).
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the CDC's information on how humans can contract plague and its symptoms. However, this is not a fallacy as it provides valuable information for readers. Additionally, the author presents dichotomous depictions of the severity of bubonic plague when comparing it to pneumonic plague in terms of potential outcomes (septicemic vs respiratory failure). This is also not a fallacy but rather an accurate comparison based on medical knowledge. The article does contain inflammatory rhetoric by emphasizing the tragedy and danger posed by bubonic plague, which could potentially lead to fear or panic among readers.
The CDC's information on how humans can contract plague and its symptoms is presented as authoritative.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the bubonic plague is an ancient disease. This implies that it is not something new or current and could be seen as dismissive of the severity of the situation.
The CDC says humans can also get the plague through inhaling respiratory droplets containing the bacteria.
]This tragic incident serves as a clear reminder of the threat posed by this ancient disease[
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of bubonic plague as they are reporting for Scripps News. The article discusses the death of a man in New Mexico who contracted bubonic plague and provides information about how it is spread to humans. However, there is no disclosure from the author regarding any financial ties or personal relationships that may compromise their ability to report objectively on this topic.
The article discusses the death of a man in New Mexico who contracted bubonic plague and provides information about how it is spread to humans. However, there is no disclosure from the author regarding any financial ties or personal relationships that may compromise their ability to report objectively on this topic.
. The man died of plague after being hospitalized for the disease.
. This is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020.
. Plague is a bacterial disease carried by rodents and spread to humans through infected fleas or direct contact with infected animals, including pets.
Dogs and cats that are allowed to roam can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into homes, putting household members at risk.
. The NMDOH is conducting outreach in the community for ongoing risks and an environmental assessment will be conducted.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive because it does not provide any evidence or sources for the claim that plague is a bacterial disease carried by rodents and spread to humans through fleas. It also implies that dogs and cats can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, without citing any scientific studies or peer-reviewed articles to support this assertion. Additionally, it does not mention any editorializing, pontification, opinions of the author or quotes from other sources that may have influenced their reporting. The article also falls under one-sided reporting by only presenting information from the New Mexico Department of Health and not considering any alternative perspectives or counterarguments.
The NMDOH says its staff is conducting outreach to area residents and an environmental assessment will be conducted in the community to look for ongoing risks. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any details or examples of what kind of outreach, assessment, or intervention they are doing, such as contact tracing, testing, quarantine measures, treatment protocols, or public education campaigns. It also implies that there may be more cases or deaths in the community without providing any evidence to support this assumption.
The NMDOH says prevent pets from roaming and hunting. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any scientific evidence or studies that show how pets can contract plague from rodents or wildlife. It also suggests that all pets are at risk without providing any guidance on which breeds, sizes, or types of animals are more susceptible to the disease.
The NMDOH says put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible away from your home. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any scientific evidence or studies that show how plague-infected rodents can contaminate human habitats through these materials. It also implies that all types of piles are equally dangerous without providing any distinction between organic and inorganic matter.
The NMDOH says this is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any evidence or sources for these claims, such as statistics, reports, or data from reliable authorities that can verify their validity. It also omits any information about other possible cases or deaths that may have occurred in the same period but were not reported or confirmed by the NMDOH.
The NMDOH says avoid sick or dead rodents and rabbits, and their nests and burrows. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any scientific evidence or studies that show how plague is transmitted from rodents to humans or pets. It also implies that all rodents are carriers of the disease without providing any distinction between infected and uninfected animals.
The NMDOH says with prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the death rate in people and pets can be greatly reduced. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any information or references about what kind of diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis are available for plague patients or animals. It also suggests that there is a high mortality rate without providing any data to back up this claim.
The NMDOH says don’t leave your pet’s food and water where rodents and wildlife can get to it. “This statement is deceptive because it does not provide any scientific evidence or studies that show how plague-infected animals can access human food sources through natural or artificial attractants. It also suggests that all types of food are equally appealing without providing any distinction between wet and dry, fresh and stale, etc.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) as a source for information about plague in the state. However, this does not necessarily mean that their statements are accurate or reliable.
> A human case of plague has been reported in New Mexico since 2021 and is the first death since 2020.
> The NMDOH says its staff is conducting outreach to area residents and an environmental assessment will be conducted in the community to look for ongoing risks.
The last human plague case in the state was a Torrance County resident in 2021. In 2020, there were four human plague cases: one in Santa Fe County, two in Torrance County, and one fatal case in Rio Arriba County.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the man who died of plague was hospitalized for it. This is an example of religious bias as the author implies that this death is due to divine punishment.
> The NMDOH says this is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020.
