Pneumonic plague blockade lifted off Ziketan

Looks like Ziketan is officially no longer a Ground Zero for pneumonic plague now that China has lifted the quarantine blockade around the Qinghai town. Though the outbreak has claimed three victims, no new infections had been reported for over a week and authorities decided it was time to end the quarantine. The disease had traveled to humans through a wild marmot, which came in contact with a dog, which later died. The dog's owner, a 32-year-old herdsman, became infected by fleas while burying his pet. It spread to his family and neighborhood, killing his father-in-law and neighbor. Nine other people are still hospitalized. Source: AFP