The Shocking News of a Plague Outbreak
Stephanie Reed – May 15, 2022 11:30 am EST
Visual reference / A cat, but not the one with plague.
An individual in Oregon recently fell ill with bubonic plague after coming into contact with their ailing pet cat, marking the first documented case in the state since 2015. Health officials from Deschutes County confirmed this alarming development.
Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, silently lingers within various rodent populations and their fleas across the United States. On average, there are about seven reported cases of human infection with a range of 1 to 17 annually, as per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These cases tend to cluster in two main regions: the first spans northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado, while the second covers California, western Nevada, and southern Oregon.
The recent case in Oregon unfolded in Deschutes County, situated centrally within the state. Thankfully, the infection was promptly identified, preventing it from escalating into a more severe, systemic bloodstream infection known as septicemic plague. However, according to information shared by a local source with NBC News, there were concerns that the individual had developed a cough during hospitalization, signaling the possibility of progression towards pneumonic plague. Fortunately, the patient responded well to antibiotic treatment and is currently on the path to recovery.
In an effort to contain the spread of the disease, health authorities have reached out to all close contacts of the infected individual and provided preventive medication. Richard Fawcett, the Health Officer for Deschutes County, emphasized the importance of this proactive approach in a public statement.
Further details revealed that the infected individual’s cat was severely unwell, displaying symptoms of a draining abscess, which indicated a significant infection. The source of the infection could have been plague-infected fleas from the cat or direct contact with the sick feline or its bodily fluids. Symptoms typically manifest within two to eight days post-exposure, primarily affecting the lymph nodes. Early signs include sudden fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and visibly swollen lymph nodes, known as buboes. Without treatment, the infection can progress to septicemic or pneumonic forms.
The exact cause of the cat’s infection remains a mystery. However, cats are known to be highly susceptible to plague and are considered a common source of transmission in the US. When left to roam outdoors, cats are at risk of picking up infections from fleas or consuming infected rodents. Although dogs can also contract the disease through fleas or other animals, they are less likely to exhibit clinical symptoms, as reported by the CDC.
While cases of plague are infrequent in the US, Deschutes County Health Services have issued general guidelines for preventing exposure to the deadly bacterium, including avoiding contact with fleas and rodents.
The terrifying incident serves as a reminder of the enduring threat posed by ancient diseases, highlighting the importance of vigilance in safeguarding public health.