FLAGSTAFF, AZ. (KPHO/Gray News) - A person in Arizona has died from the plague, health officials confirmed on Friday.
The person was recently treated in a Flagstaff emergency room and died the same day. It has since been confirmed that the patient’s death was caused by pneumonic plague, which is a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium.
Officials confirm the person was a Coconino County resident but could not provide any additional information due to HIPAA regulations.
Health officials say the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which causes the plague, can be transmitted to animals through bites from infected fleas. The bacterium can also be transmitted to humans from flea bites or bites from infected animals.
This is the first recorded death from pneumonic plague in Coconino County since 2007. Health officials also note that plague is rare in humans, with an average of seven cases in the U.S. each year. There is even less chance of human-to-human transmission, with the last reported case dating back to 1924.
The CCHHS provided the following tips to prevent exposure to the plague:
Avoid contact with wild animals, whether they are alive, sick or dead, and avoid areas where they are known to live.
Avoid fleas with insect repellent that contains 20-30% DEET and tuck pant cuffs into socks.
Use veterinarian-approved flea treatments on pets and keep them on a leash, away from areas inhabited by wild rodents.
Seek care for sick pets, specifically those with symptoms such as high fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargic behavior, a loss of appetite or the development of a cough or eye drainage. Note: Cats are highly susceptible to plague.
Remove brush, rock piles, trash and lumber from around homes and other buildings to prevent rodent infestations.
Avoid camping next to rodent burrows and refrain from sleeping directly on the ground.
Report prairie dog die-offs to your local health department
Find additional tips and other information here.
Symptoms of plague in humans can appear up to eight days after exposure and could include fever, chills, headache, weakness and muscle pain. Swollen lymph nodes can also develop in areas such as the groin, armpits or limbs.
