Central Oregon health officials have confirmed a case of bubonic plague in a person and said the person likely contracted the disease from a domestic cat.
The unidentified patient resides in Deschutes County and is the first human case in the state in more than eight years, Deschutes County Health Services officials announced in a news release.
Deschutes County is located less than 320 miles southeast of the state's largest city, Portland.
Deschutes County Health Services Officer Dr. Richard Fawcett said in a statement Wednesday that “all close contacts of residents and their pets have been contacted and provided medication to prevent the disease.” Stated.
The disease is spread through the air and contaminated food, and the person likely contracted the disease from a pet cat that developed symptoms, officials said.
The case was identified and the person was treated by doctors in the “early stages of the disease and poses little risk to the community,” officials said.
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1 confirmed case reported
As of last week, no other cases of plague had been reported, the ministry said.
Health officials said the last confirmed case of plague in the state was in 2015.
Bubonic plague symptoms
Plague symptoms typically begin in humans “two to eight days after exposure to infected animals or fleas,” the agency wrote in a statement.
Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle pain, and visible swollen lymph nodes.
If not diagnosed early, bubonic plague can cause bloodstream and lung infections, which are difficult to treat and can be fatal, health officials warned.
Tips to avoid bubonic plague
The disease is spread to people and animals through the bites of infected fleas or through contact with sick animals. The most common animals that transmit plague in Central Oregon are squirrels and chipmunks, but mice and other rodents can also transmit the disease.
To prevent the spread of plague, health experts recommend the following tips:
- Avoid contact with rodents and fleas.
- Keep your pets on a leash and use flea control products.
- If possible, prevent your pet cat from hunting rodents. If your cat becomes ill after coming into contact with a rodent, contact your veterinarian.
- Do not camp, sleep, or rest near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
- Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks, or other wild rodents.
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
