Arizona Resident Dies from Plague

On July 11, Arizona health officials confirmed a resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, officials said. Further details, including the identity of the victim, were not released.

Last week, Colorado health officials also confirmed a human case of plague in a Pueblo County resident.

The plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis) is transmitted by fleas and cycles naturally among wild rodents. Plague occurs naturally and can infect humans and their pets. People get plague from bites of infected fleas, by touching or skinning infected animals, or inhaling droplets from the cough of an infected person or animal.

Plague is rare in humans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an average of seven human plague cases are reported each year in the U.S. The risk to the public remains low, including the risk of human-to-human transmission. The last reported occurrence of human-to-human transmission was reported in 1924, according to the National Institutes of Health, and is typically spread through respiratory droplets. In the U.S., most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada.

To prevent exposure to plague, health officials recommend the following:

• Avoid contact with wild animals. Never feed or handle wild rodents and avoid areas where they are known to live. Do not touch sick or dead animals.
• Avoid fleas. Use an insect repellent containing 20-30 percent DEET and tuck pant cuffs into your socks to help prevent flea bites.
• Use veterinarian-approved flea treatments on pets, keep them on a leash, and keep them out of areas known to be inhabited by wild rodents.
• Report prairie dog die-offs. Prairie dogs are highly susceptible to plague but are not considered a long-term reservoir of the disease. They typically die off quickly after infection, making them an indicator species for plague presence. Active prairie dog colonies are not harmful but a sudden reduction/die-off in prairie dog colonies may indicate the presence of disease.
• Prevent rodent infestations by removing brush, rock piles, trash, and lumber from around homes and outbuildings. Store food in rodent-proof containers.
• Do not camp next to rodent burrows and avoid sleeping directly on the ground.
• Seek veterinary care for sick pets. If your pet shows symptoms such as a high fever or swollen lymph nodes, is lethargic, has a loss of appetite, or develops a cough or eye drainage, contact a veterinarian immediately. It is recommended to call before visiting the veterinarian’s office for instructions to help limit exposure to potential disease.
• Be aware that cats are highly susceptible to plague and while they can get sick from a variety of illnesses, a sick cat (especially one allowed to run at large outside) should receive care by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of plague in humans typically appear within one to eight days after exposure and may include fever, chills, headache, weakness, and muscle pain. Treatment of plague with antibiotics is very effective.