Just when you thought 2020 has thrown enough curveballs, think again.

As most of us are still struggling to live with the COVID-19 pandemic, a city in China now has to deal with a deadly plague.

City under lockdown

The inner Mongolian Chinese city of Bayan has been placed under level three warning for epidemic control as the Bubonic Plague has broken out, Express reported.

There are only four levels to the warning system, so that is pretty scary.

As a result of the warning, authorities have banned hunting and eating wild animals.

This announcement was made despite World Health Organisation's (WHO) assurance that they are monitoring the situation but it was not "high risk".


This came after news of a Mongolian man and his brother contracting the Bubonic Plague surfaced last week.

According to the report, the men contracted the plague after eating marmot meat.


They are now reportedly in stable condition.

Hopefully, that would teach them to not simply put things in their mouths and to leave our animal friends alone.

What is Bubonic Plague?

People who have read about the Black Death that killed an estimated 50 million people across Africa, Asia and Europe in the 1300's would probably know how scary it could be.

There are even reports that says one third of Europe population was wiped out because of the plague.

According to BBC, there were other large outbreaks over the years, including the Great Plague of 1665 in London that killed one fifth the population of the city, and another outbreak in China and India in the 19th century, which killed 12 million people.


The plague is caused by a bacteria called yersinia pestis and lucky for us, the advancement of science means that there are antibiotics that can fight the bacterial infection.

If the antibiotics are administered within 24 hours, it's highly likely that the person who got the Bubonic Plague will survive.

However, if antibiotics are not readily available, the death rates for the plague is between 30 and 60 percent. It also spreads fast so fast action is necessary.

Do you have to worry?

Right now, our bigger worry is definitely the coronavirus. Unless you're traveling to the part of Mongolia with the outbreak or have the habit of hunting and eating wild animals that are not usually human food, you're probably quite safe.

But just for future reference, the symptoms of the plague includes high fever, chills, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and/or groin.

If you ever get these symptoms, please see a doctor immediately.

Oh and also: just eat chicken, beef, fish or mutton. That way, you'll be safe.