Plague is a bacterial infection that was historically very deadly but now is better treated. While not totally eradicated, “human to human transmission of bubonic plague is rare,” according to the World Health Organization.
An average of seven human plague cases are reported each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with most cases occurring in the West, especially in northern New Mexico and in Arizona.
In February, a case of human plague was confirmed in rural Oregon. The unnamed person there was thought to have been infected by a pet cat, which had symptoms, health officials said. The case was identified and treated early, “posing little risk to the community.”
The plague is caused by a zoonotic bacteria known scientifically as Yersinia pestis. It is transmitted by fleas and cycles naturally among wild rodents.
Bubonic plague, the most common form, is characterized by painful swollen lymph nodes or “buboes.” The bacteria multiply in a lymph node, close to where they entered the human body following a flea bite, and can spread in the bloodstream if untreated.
Other symptoms can include a sudden fever and chills, severe headaches, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, according to the Colorado health department. Symptoms generally develop after an incubation period of one to seven days, the WHO says.
Plague occurs naturally and can infect humans and their pets. People can get plague from the bites of infected fleas, by touching infected animals or by inhaling droplets from the cough of an infected person or animal. “We advise all individuals to protect themselves and their pets from plague,” the Colorado health department said in a statement.
“Plague can be treated successfully with antibiotics, but an infected person must be treated promptly to avoid serious complications or death,” said Alicia Solis, program manager at the Pueblo Public Health Department.
THE BLACK DEATH is coming to Colorado!
The bubonic plague, which wiped out tens of millions of people in the 14th century, was in Oregon earlier this year and has now placed it wretched curse upon Coloradans.