Rare Case of Human Plague Confirmed in Oregon Resident, Likely Transmitted by Pet Cat
In a surprising turn of events, health officials in Deschutes County, Oregon, have confirmed a rare case of human plague in a local resident. This marks the first reported case in the state since 2015. What makes this case even more unusual is that the individual was likely infected by their own pet cat, which showed symptoms of the disease.
The health officer for Deschutes County, Dr. Richard Fawcett, assured the public that all close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided with medication to prevent illness. Fortunately, this case was identified and treated in the earlier stages of the disease, posing little risk to the community.
While the bubonic plague may sound like something out of the history books, this isn’t the first time in recent years that we’ve seen the disease pop up in the U.S. In 2020, California reported its first case of plague in five years, and two fatal cases were reported in Colorado in 2015.
Plague is a disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium found in rodents and their fleas. In the Middle Ages, the plague caused tens of millions of deaths across Europe in a series of outbreaks known as the Black Death. Although the bacterial infection is still around today, it is far more rare in modern times and can be treated.
There are three types of plague: septicemic, pneumonic, and bubonic. Bubonic plague is the most common form, accounting for around 80% of cases in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between 1970 and 2020, there were 496 documented cases of plague in the U.S., with most occurring in the West or Southwest. New Mexico had the highest number of cases, followed by smaller numbers in Colorado, Arizona, California, and Oregon.
People typically get the plague after being bitten by an infected flea or handling an infected animal. Many types of animals can be affected by plague, including squirrels, mice, rats, prairie dogs, chipmunks, voles, and rabbits. Wild carnivores can also become infected by eating other infected animals. Cats and dogs can lead to human infections as well. Cats, in particular, are susceptible to getting sick and have been linked to several cases of human plague in the U.S. through respiratory droplets.
Symptoms of plague usually start to appear two to eight days after a person was exposed to an infected animal or flea. Bubonic plague is characterized by painful, swollen lymph nodes in the groin or armpits, called buboes. Other common symptoms include fever, weakness, coughing, and chills. Septicemic plague occurs when the bacteria enters the bloodstream and can cause fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock, and possibly internal bleeding. Pneumonic plague is the most serious form of the disease and spreads to the lungs. Patients may develop fever, headache, weakness, pneumonia, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery mucus. Pneumonia could cause respiratory failure and shock.
Plague can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but early detection is crucial for a full recovery. The case-fatality ratio for bubonic plague is 30% to 60%, while untreated pneumonic plague is always fatal and can lead to death within 18 to 24 hours.
To prevent getting plague, it’s important to keep fleas off your pets. Applying flea control products is recommended. Additionally, it’s advised not to allow dogs or cats that roam outdoors in affected areas to sleep in your bed. Other preventive measures include reducing rodent habitats around your home, using insect repellent when exposed to rodent fleas during outdoor activities, and wearing gloves when handling potentially infected animals.
While the news of a human plague case may be alarming, experts emphasize that there is little cause for concern for most people. With proper precautions and early treatment, the risk of contracting and suffering from the disease can be minimized.
