California Resident Tests Positive for the Plague

A case of plague has been confirmed in California, with local health authorities suspecting the infection was acquired from an infected flea during outdoor activities like camping. The individual resides in South Lake Tahoe.

Health officials emphasize that plague bacteria are naturally present in various regions of California, especially in higher elevation zones of El Dorado County. They advise residents and visitors to exercise caution when spending time outdoors, particularly when walking, hiking, or camping near areas populated by wild rodents.

The plague is caused by bacteria typically carried by rodent species. Its introduction to the US in the early 1900s is linked to immigrants arriving via rat-infested ships. While most cases in the country are bubonic, the bacteria can cause three distinct forms: bubonic (affecting lymph nodes), septicemic (in the bloodstream), and pneumonic (lung infection).

Symptoms of bubonic plague, which include fever and nausea, usually manifest within two weeks. The disease is rare, with about seven cases reported annually across the US, mainly in the western states like New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Transmission typically occurs through flea bites from infected rodents or when handling infected animals improperly.

Fortunately, modern antibiotics can effectively treat the plague, significantly reducing its fatality rate compared to historic outbreaks such as the Black Death in the 14th century. Recent cases include a fatality in Arizona linked to prairie dog die-offs and a positive test in a domestic cat in Colorado.