Health officials in Deschutes County, Oregon, have reported a rare case of human plague, marking the first instance of the disease in the state since 2015. The individual was likely infected by their pet cat, which exhibited symptoms of the disease. Local authorities have already contacted all close contacts of the resident and their pet, providing them with medication to prevent illness.

The prompt detection and treatment of the case have significantly reduced the risk to the community, according to Deschutes County Health Officer Dr. Richard Fawcett. So far, no additional cases of plague have been identified in the investigation conducted in the mostly rural county of central Oregon.

While the idea of the plague may evoke historical references, similar cases have surfaced in recent years in the United States. In 2020, California reported its first plague case in five years, with the patient, a South Lake Tahoe resident, recovering at home. Additionally, two fatal cases were recorded in Colorado in 2015.

The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis found in rodents and their fleas, has three types: septicemic, pneumonic, and bubonic. The bubonic plague is the most common, accounting for approximately 80% of cases in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented 496 cases of plague between 1970 and 2020, mostly in the western and southwestern regions of the United States.

Transmission of the plague occurs through flea bites or handling infected animals. Various animals, including wild carnivores, can be affected by the disease. Cats, in particular, have been linked to several cases of human plague in the U.S., primarily through respiratory droplets.

Symptoms typically appear between two to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea. While most forms of the plague are not transmissible between humans, pneumonic plague can spread through infectious respiratory droplets. Symptoms vary depending on the type: bubonic plague presents with swollen and painful lymph nodes, septicemic plague affects the bloodstream causing fever, weakness, and possible internal bleeding, and pneumonic plague targets the lungs, leading to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and a high fatality rate.

Fortunately, the plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics, and early detection is crucial for a full recovery. The CDC recommends immediate administration of antibiotics within 24 hours of the first symptoms for suspected cases of pneumonic plague to prevent high mortality rates.

To minimize the risk of exposure, it is important to protect pets from fleas, as they can transmit not only the plague but also other infections. Applying flea control products is recommended, and it is advised to discourage outdoor roaming in areas affected by the plague. Additionally, the CDC recommends refraining from allowing outdoor dogs or cats to sleep in beds.

While the discovery of a plague case may cause concern, experts emphasize that the disease is rare and can be effectively managed with appropriate medical intervention.