Colorado public health officials have confirmed a human case of plague in a Pueblo County resident, according to the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
Plague is very rare, with an average of seven human plague cases reported annually in the U.S., according to the CDC.
While the disease killed millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages, nowadays, it is a rare cause of illness in rural areas of the southwestern U.S., particularly in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado, the agency said.
Certain regions of Africa and Asia have also reported cases over the past few years.
A potentially life-threatening disease, plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is usually passed to humans through the bite of an infected rodent flea or by handling an infected animal, according to the Pueblo Department of Public Health.
Symptoms can include sudden fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and vomiting, per the CDC.
Plague can be cured with antibiotics, but they must be administered promptly to prevent serious illness or death.
Health officials urged anyone who develops symptoms of plague to seek medical care immediately.
In order to avoid infection, health officials suggest people take precautions, including avoiding contact with dead animals, regularly treating pets for fleas and eliminating places in and around the home where rodents can breed.
Colorado public health officials have confirmed a case of human plague in the state, raising concerns about the potential spread of the deadly disease. The individual, who has not been identified, is said to have contracted the plague after coming into contact with an infected animal or flea.
The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is a serious and potentially fatal disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, contact with infected animals, or through respiratory droplets from an infected person. Symptoms of the plague include fever, chills, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, among others.
While the plague is rare in the United States, cases do occasionally occur, particularly in the western states where the disease is endemic in wildlife populations. Colorado has seen a handful of human plague cases in recent years, with the last confirmed case occurring in 2015.
Public health officials are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the plague, including avoiding contact with wild animals, keeping pets away from rodent burrows, and using insect repellent when spending time outdoors. They also recommend seeking medical attention if symptoms of the plague develop, as early treatment with antibiotics can be effective in treating the disease.
In addition to these individual precautions, public health officials are also working to monitor and control the spread of the plague in wildlife populations, particularly in areas where human cases have been reported. This includes conducting surveillance of rodent populations, implementing flea control measures, and educating the public about the risks of the disease.
Overall, while the confirmation of a human plague case in Colorado is concerning, public health officials are working diligently to prevent further spread of the disease and protect the health and safety of residents. By staying informed and taking appropriate precautions, individuals can help reduce their risk of contracting this potentially deadly illness.
