Plague scare: Racist letter addressed to minister sparks probe

In the central part of France, at the Longvic sorting facility, a letter addressed to Minister Gérald Darmanin was detected, reports “Le Parisien.” The content of the letter included racist insults and black powder. A special police unit ordered an investigation into the mysterious substance.

Tests showed a positive result for the presence of plague. The powder was sent to the Pasteur Institute for further analysis. According to France 3 Bourgogne, results are expected by the end of the day on Monday, and the Côte-d'Or prefecture insists that it may be a "false positive result."

The criminal division of Dijon led an investigation into charges of public insult. The author of the letter has not yet been identified.

The French Ministry of Health warns that when receiving mail containing suspicious powder, it is better not to open it and immediately call the authorities. If a mysterious substance is noticed after opening the envelope, it is advised to leave the room, close all openings inside it, and notify emergency services.

Plague is a highly contagious disease of humans and animals caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. Though today, it does not pose a major threat, given the reservoir of the pathogen, it is a disease that in the past caused the greatest pandemics in the world’s history. Among animals, the bacteria's source is rodents, primarily rats (wild rabbits, mice, voles, etc.). The most susceptible to plague are rodents, cats, and humans. Some animals (e.g., dogs, horses, cows, and birds) are less or less susceptible, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate informs.

The disease develops rapidly, within a few days of infection. For treatment to be effective, it needs to be undertaken as soon as possible (ideally within 24 hours after symptoms appear).