HMN 2025: How Northern Arizona resident dies from plague

A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, well being officers stated Friday.

Plague is uncommon to people, with on common about seven instances reported yearly within the U.S., most of them within the western states, in keeping with federal well being officers.

The dying in Coconino County, which incorporates Flagstaff, was the primary recorded dying from pneumonic plague since 2007, native officers stated. Further particulars together with the determine of the sufferer weren’t launched.

Plague is a bacterial an infection identified for killing tens of tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it is simply handled with antibiotics.

The bubonic plague is the commonest type of the bacterial an infection, which spreads naturally amongst rodents like prairie canine and rats.

There are two different kinds: septicemic plague that spreads via the entire physique, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs.

Pneumonic plague is probably the most lethal and best to unfold.

The micro organism is transmitted via the bites of contaminated fleas that may unfold it between rodents, pets and people.

People can even get plague via touching contaminated bodily fluids. Health consultants advocate taking further care when dealing with lifeless or sick animals.

Most instances occur in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and much western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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