Authorities have been on high alert after new cases of pneumonic plague emerged just months after two people died because of its cousin bubonic plague.

Bubonic plague and pneumonic plague, also known as the ‘black plague,’ are the two most common forms of plague.

The notorious plague was responsible for the death of between 75 to 200 million people in Europe back in the 14th century.

Bubonic plague was responsible for two deaths in China around 6 months ago. Now, two fresh cases of pneumonic plague, which is much more virulent and dangerous due to its ability to spread through the air, emerged near the country’s border with Mongolia, causing the authorities to fear the worst.

According to the reports, “preventive measures” have already been taken to prevent the spread of the deadly disease whereas the infected individuals were moved to Beijing for treatment.

“The National Health Commission is implementing efforts to contain and treat the identified cases, and increasing surveillance,” World Health Organization announced after they were notified about the two cases.

While the disease has long been kept at bay, cases of plague have been on the rise in China since the early 1990s.

According to WHO, less than 10 cases of the disease were reported on a yearly basis in the 1980s. However, as many as 631 cases in total were reported in the years between 1995 and 2004.

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