A case of human plague has been confirmed in Colorado, local officials he said Tuesday.
Such cases are rare, but not unheard of. A man from New Mexico died of plague in March, while Oregon officials confirmed a case in February, likely linked to an infected cat.
The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment said it is still investigating the source of the infection in a Pueblo County resident, advising people to see a doctor immediately if they experience plague symptoms.
“Typical symptoms of plague include sudden fever and chills, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and feeling sick. A common symptom of plague is also swollen lymph nodes with pain,” he said.
“Plague occurs naturally and can infect humans and their pets. People contract plague through bites from infected fleas, touching or skinning infected animals, or inhaling droplets from the cough of an infected person or animal,” he added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page on plague, the disease comes “from the bacteria, Yersinia pestis.”
“Plague can be cured with antibiotics, but antibiotics must be given immediately to prevent serious illness or death,” the CDC said. it says on the web page. “The plague is famous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, it is a rare but persistent cause of disease in rural areas of the western United States and in certain regions of Africa and Asia.”
There are about seven cases of plague each year in the U.S., according to the CDC, which has recorded about 500 total cases between 1970 and 2022.
In its statement on the plague case, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment made the following suggestions.
- Eliminate places where rodents can hide and breed in your home, garage, shed or recreational area. Remove brush, rock piles, trash and wood piles.
- Avoid contact with dead animals.
- Use insect repellent that contains 20% to 30% DEET to prevent flea bites. Treat pants, socks, shoe tops, arms and legs.
- Don’t let pets sleep in bed with you.
- Treat dogs and cats for fleas regularly. Flea collars have not been proven to be effective.
- Do not allow pets to hunt or roam in rodent areas, such as prairie dog colonies.
- Keep pet food in rodent-proof containers.
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