Bubonic Plague Samples Reported Missing
Samples of Bubonic Plague Reported Missing From Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas Jan. 15 —
Authorities on Wednesday were looking into the apparent theft of samples of bubonic plague from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
A report was made late Tuesday to the Tech police and city officials in Lubbock were preparing a statement Wednesday morning, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported on its online edition.
Information on the precise number of vials reportedly taken was not available.
Bubonic plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by a bacterium named Yersinia pestis. People usually get it from being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an infected animal.
The disease is treatable with antibiotics.