Death by Eating Bubonic BBQ

sample BBQ image
(Sary-Dzhaz, Kyrgyzstan)

A boy has died in Kyrgyzstan after eating barbequed groundhog infected with the bubonic plague. The meat was prepared in the Sary-Dzhaz gorge on Lake Issyk-Kul's southern shore, Interfax reported Monday.

The 15-year-old died Thursday, but until now doctors had been unable to identify the exact cause of death. "While fighting for the life of the teenager, doctors gave the boy 17 different drugs which made it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis," Kyrgyzstan's Health Ministry said.

Doctors identified a plague microbe during biological tests, and their diagnosis was later confirmed by experts from the republic's Quarantine and Especially Dangerous Infections Center.

Over 100 people, including 19 doctors, were in contact with the boy over the last few days. All of them have been put in quarantine and are undergoing preventative treatment, Itar-Tass reported.

Authorities are looking for other possible victims.