A California resident tested positive for the plague, marking the first human case in the state since 2015.
El Dorado County health officials said in a Monday news release that the South Lake Tahoe resident was an “avid walker” who might have been bitten by an infected flea while walking the dog, although the situation is still being investigated.
“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 Dr. Nancy Williams, a public health officer with the county.
Plague has killed millions in centuries past, when it was known as the Black Death, although it is now uncommon in developed countries. It is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which can be transmitted to fleas that have fed on infected squirrels and rodents. Symptoms typically begin within two weeks after transmission and include nausea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Earlier in August, a Chinese village in Inner Mongolia was put on lockdown after a resident died from the disease. Health officials announced that a squirrel in Colorado tested positive for the pathogen in July.
Congo, Madagascar, and Peru have had the largest number of plague cases over the past few years, according to the World Health Organization. African countries have also historically been hot spots.
