Britt Jones
Two cases of the plague have been recently noted in the US, with officials having issued a stark warning.
In July, it was reported that an Arizona resident died after contracting the plague, with the unknown patient having experienced pneumonic plague symptoms and attending a medical institution, only to die the same day.
And today (21 August), it was reported that one California resident had tested positive for the plague. According to authorities, the individual had been camping in South Lake Tahoe, where it is believed an infected flea bit them.
The person has since sought care and is now recovering at home, according to health officials. Prior to this, two people contracted the plague in 2018 after visiting Yosemite National Park.
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But what is the plague, and what are the most common symptoms?
The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it spreads to humans through the bites of infected fleas that live on animals.
There are three types of plague:
The bubonic plague is considered the most common, with the largest case being 'The Black Death', which led to the deaths of more than 25 million people over the European continent in the 14th century.
Symptoms of plague in humans may include:
However, the three types of plague come with their own set of symptoms, including:
If a pet has the plague, they will exhibit fever, low energy, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes.
The plague, while rare, is spread mostly by fleas that live on rodents and other animals.
Those fleas can then spread the disease to people and animals, with cats particularly vulnerable to the plague as they are prone to eating rodents that may also be infected.
It’s not likely to spread from person to person, but there have been cases where someone with pneumonic plague (infected lungs) has spread the plague via droplets sprayed into the air.
Aside from the 'Black Death', the cases of plague deaths are very rare.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an average of seven plague cases annually in the US, with outbreaks often occurring in states like Arizona and New Mexico.
All three types of plague can be treated with antibiotics; however, the Cleveland Clinic recommends seeking treatment immediately.
As per health officials in El Dorado County, people have been advised to take precautions to minimise their risk of contracting the plague.
"Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County," said Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County’s Acting Director of Public Health.
"It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present," he added.
This includes things like:
· Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks or other wild rodents.