New York hit by plague fears

A NEW MEXICO couple who travelled to New York have been hospitalised with what is believed to be the first case of bubonic plague in the city in a century, said health officials.

The couple arrived in the city last Friday and went to the hospital two days later with high fever and swollen lymph nodes. The man, 53, is in critical condition and on life support at a Manhattan hospital; his 47-year-old wife is in stable condition, said officials. Both are in isolation at the hospital.

"Today, we are announcing what are likely to be the first cases of bubonic plague in New York City in 100 years," said New York City health commissioner Thomas Frieden.

Tests on the man were "presumptive positive" for the plague, and his wife is suffering from similar symptoms. It could be as long as 48 hours before health officials get official confirmation that the two have the plague, he said.

Frieden cautioned New Yorkers not to be alarmed by the news. Bubonic plague doesn't spread from person to person, he said. patients became ill within 48 hours of arriving in New York City. We are confident that their exposure occurred in New Mexico."