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NEW DELHI: The US state of Oregon has reported its first human case of bubonic plague in more than eight years, with health officials suggesting the infection may have been transmitted from symptomatic pet cats.
Officials say infected residents and sick pets are receiving prompt treatment and the risk to the community is minimal.
The incident marks Oregon’s first case of plague since 2015, when a teenage girl contracted the disease after being bitten by a flea. The disease is extremely rare, with only nine human cases and no deaths reported in the state since 1995.
What is bubonic plague?
Bubonic plague is known for its historical impact on 14th century Europe in the form of the Black Death, and is transmitted by wild rodents and fleas. If an infected rodent dies from the disease, the fleas can transmit the disease to other animals or humans through their bites. Symptoms, such as high fever and swollen lymph nodes, may appear within 2 to 8 days after exposure. Although untreated it is fatal, early diagnosis allows for effective antibiotic treatment.
How common is this disease?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the average number of cases per year in the Western United States ranges from 5 to 15, and the disease typically spreads to rural to semi-rural areas where wild rodents are prevalent. It is occurring in
Bubonic plague in the United States
Although the United States averages about seven cases of human plague per year, hotspots remain in the rural West, particularly in northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon, and Nevada. They are concentrated in states such as the West.
Officials say infected residents and sick pets are receiving prompt treatment and the risk to the community is minimal.
The incident marks Oregon’s first case of plague since 2015, when a teenage girl contracted the disease after being bitten by a flea. The disease is extremely rare, with only nine human cases and no deaths reported in the state since 1995.
What is bubonic plague?
Bubonic plague is known for its historical impact on 14th century Europe in the form of the Black Death, and is transmitted by wild rodents and fleas. If an infected rodent dies from the disease, the fleas can transmit the disease to other animals or humans through their bites. Symptoms, such as high fever and swollen lymph nodes, may appear within 2 to 8 days after exposure. Although untreated it is fatal, early diagnosis allows for effective antibiotic treatment.
How common is this disease?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the average number of cases per year in the Western United States ranges from 5 to 15, and the disease typically spreads to rural to semi-rural areas where wild rodents are prevalent. It is occurring in
Expanding
Although the United States averages about seven cases of human plague per year, hotspots remain in the rural West, particularly in northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon, and Nevada. They are concentrated in states such as the West.
