A Mongolian couple died from the bubonic plague after eating raw marmot meat, forcing a six-day quarantine of 118 tourists in the Bayan-Olgii province bordering China and Russia, according to USA Today. “The couple ate the rodent’s raw meat and kidney because it is believed to be good for health in the area,” said the official for the World Health Organization, Ariuntuya Ochirpurev.
It is reported by the local governor, Aipiin Gilimkhaan, that at least one person a year dies in Mongolia from the plague as a result of eating raw rodent meat. Although the quarantine had lifted after six days, many of the locals and tourists remained inside for fear of catching the disease, according to a volunteer of the American Peace Corps. The government continues to keep a watchful eye on those associated with the couple and they have told all locals and tourists to immediately seek medical attention if they feel fever, chills, headache, and extreme exhaustion.
