Pneumonic plague epidemic in Northeast China in 1910–1911: Dr. Wu Lien-Teh’s epidemic preventive system for plague control

Abstract

Pneumonic plague that originated in Russian Siberia broke out in Northeast China in October 1910–March 1911. On the basis of field visits, autopsy, bacteriological identification, and close collaboration with local authorities and international colleagues, Dr. Wu Lien-Teh implemented a series of efficient antiplague measures, which successfully controlled the development of an extraordinary epidemic plague. In his subsequent work, Dr. Wu demonstrated the respiratory transmission of pneumonic plague and tarbagans’ role in this spread. Dr. Wu’s academic and cultural contributions are valuable in the medical progress in China.

Keywords

pneumonic plague / prevention / epidemic control / Wu Lien-Teh

References

[1] [No authors listed.] Report of the International Plague Conference. Manila Bureau of Publishing, 1912

[2] Wu LT. Plague fighter: the authobiography of a modern Chinese physician. Cambridge: W. Heffer & Sons Ltd., 1959

[3] Wu LT, Chun WH, Pollitzer R. Plague in Manchuria: I. Observations made during and after the Second Manchurian Plague Epidemic of 1920–21. II. The Role of the tarabagan in the epidemiology of plague. J Hyg (Lond) 1923; 21(3): 307–358

[4] Wu LT. North Manchurian Plague Prevention Service Report (1911–1913). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1914

[5] Wu LT, Woodhead GS. Note on the histology of some of the lesions found in pneumonic plague. J Pathol Bacteriol 1915; 19(1): 1–32

[6] Chinese Plague Commission. Views of Harbin Fuchiatien taken during the plague epidemic, December 1910–March 1911. Shanghai: Commercial Press, Ltd., 1911

[7] Wu LT, Tuck GL. Investigations into the relationship of the tarabagan (Mongolian marmot) to plague. Lancet 1913; 182(4695): 529–535

[8] Wu LT, Eberson F. Transmission of pulmonary and septicaemic plague among marmots. National Med J China 1916; 2(3): 6–13

[9] Wu LT. A treatise of pneumonic plague. League of Nations, Health Organization. 1926

[10] Wu LT, Chun JWH, Pollitzer R, Wu CY. A Manual for Medical and Public Health Workers. National Quarantine Service, China. 1936

[11] MLA style: “Nomination Database.” Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 23 Nov 2017.

Compliance with ethics guidelines

Qingmeng Zhang, Fengmin Zhang, and Baofeng Yang declare no potential conflicts of interest. This manuscript did not involve a research protocol requiring approval by the relevant Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee.

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