Plague Symptoms: California Reports First Case Of The Infectious Bacterial Disease Since 2015

KEY POINTS

A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for plague
This is the first human plague case reported in the state since 2015
An average of seven human plague cases have been reported in the U.S. every year

A California resident has tested positive for the plague for the first time in five years.

El Dorado County health officials who are currently investigating the situation said the infected individual, a resident of South Lake Tahoe, might have been bitten by an infected flea while walking their dog along the Truckee River Corridor. They said the plague is naturally present in several parts of California.

"Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County. 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. Human cases of plague are extremely rare but can be very serious," said El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams.

The last confirmed case of plague in the state was in 2015 when two people were exposed to infected rodents in Yosemite National park.

According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of seven human plague cases are reported in the U.S. every year. Although it has infected individuals of all ages, 50% of plague cases occur in people aged 12 to 45.

Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis which gets transmitted through by the bites of fleas that have acquired the pathogen from infected from chipmunks, squirrels or other wild rodents. There is a possibility that dogs and cats can also bring plague-infected fleas into homes. Plague can be prevented by avoiding close contact with wild rodents.

The symptoms include fever, nausea, swollen lymph nodes and weakness, which might appear within two weeks of exposure. Early detection and treatment with antibiotics can effectively treat the disease.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) routinely monitors rodent populations for plague activity. The department found a total of 20 rodents (chipmunks and ground squirrels) with evidence of exposure to plague bacterium in the past four 4 years in El Dorado County.

No recent plague-associated illnesses were reported in El Dorado County prior to the current case.

El Dorado County Health Officials recommend the following measures to prevent plague:

Refrain from touching sick, injured or dead rodents
Do not feed wild rodents
Do not let your pets to come into contact with sick, injured or dead rodents
Avoid camping, sleeping or resting near animal burrows or regions where dead rodents are observed
Watch out for and heed posted warning signs
Protect your pets with flea control products
Spray insect repellent with DEET on socks and pant cuffs to reduce exposure to fleas
If you or your family member get sick after being in plague-prone areas, seek medical attention at the earliest and report possible exposure to plague