BEND, Oregon — Health officials in Oregon are working to contain an outbreak of bubonic plague after the first case in the state since 2015 was reported. The unidentified person is believed to have contracted the plague from their pet cat, according to authorities. Dr. Richard Fawcett, the Deschutes County health officer, stated that close contacts of the infected resident and their pet have been provided with medication to prevent illness.
The case was identified and treated in the early stages, which has led health officials to believe that there is little risk to the community. As of now, no additional cases of plague have been reported during the investigation. This is the first case of bubonic plague in Oregon since a 16-year-old contracted the disease in 2015 after being bitten by an infected flea during a hunting trip near Heppner, Morrow County. The state had previously seen eight cases in the past 20 years, with no reported deaths.
In 2012, a man in Oregon lost his fingers and toes after contracting the disease from his cat. This highlights the dangers that plague-carrying animals pose. The infectious bacterial disease is carried by squirrels, chipmunks, and other wild rodents and their fleas, and when an infected rodent dies, its fleas can spread the infection to other animals or humans through bites. While treatable with antibiotics if caught early, bubonic plague can be fatal if left untreated.
As a precaution, officials are urging people to avoid contact with wild rodents, especially sick or dead ones, and to refrain from feeding squirrels or chipmunks. Pet owners are also advised to keep their animals away from wild rodents to prevent the risk of infection. With no vaccine available at this time, prevention and early detection are crucial in dealing with this potentially deadly illness.