New Delhi, India – Health officials in Oregon have confirmed the first human case of bubonic plague in over eight years. They believe the likely transmission occurred from the symptomatic pet cat of the infected resident. The infected person and their pet have received prompt medical attention to minimize the risk to the community.
This incident marks Oregon’s first case of plague since 2015, when a teenage girl contracted the disease from a flea bite. Since 1995, the state has reported only nine human cases with no fatalities, making the disease exceedingly rare.
Bubonic plague, known for its historical impact on 14th-century Europe, is carried by wild rodents and fleas. When an infected rodent succumbs to illness, its fleas can transmit the disease to other animals or humans through bites. Symptoms such as high fever and swollen lymph nodes can manifest within two to eight days after exposure. While fatal if untreated, early diagnosis allows for effective antibiotic treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes an annual average of 5 to 15 cases in the western United States, where the disease is typically found in rural to semi-rural areas with prevalent wild rodent populations.
Although the US sees an average of around seven human plague cases annually, the hotspot remains concentrated in the rural West, particularly in states such as northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon, and western Nevada. Vigilance and prompt medical attention continue to be crucial in curbing the spread of this rare but potentially fatal disease.