Rare Case of Plague
A pet owner in central Oregon has been diagnosed with the bubonic plague, with health officials suspecting the individual caught the disease from their symptomatic pet cat. Deschutes County Health Services announced the case last week, marking the first incidence of plague in Oregon since 2015.
Swift Response
All close contacts and pets have been treated to prevent further spread, stated Dr. Richard Fawcett, the health officer of Deschutes County. Fortunately, the case was identified early, minimizing risks to the community. No additional cases have emerged following the investigation.
Prevention and Symptoms
To avoid the spread of the plague, residents are urged to steer clear of rodents and their fleas, refrain from handling sick or deceased rodents, and prevent pets from interacting with them. Symptoms of bubonic plague include fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes known as buboes.
Treatable Disease
Despite its seriousness, the bubonic plague can be treated with antibiotics if detected early. If left untreated, the disease can still be fatal. Originating in the Middle Ages, the plague was brought to the U.S. in 1900 on rat-infested ships and remains most common in the western states.