Public health officials in Arizona are currently investigating a suspected case of plague, a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the case was identified in Coconino County, prompting local health authorities to initiate testing and public safety protocols to prevent potential transmission.
What is the plague?
The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is typically found in small mammals and their fleas. While often associated with historical pandemics, the disease persists in nature today, particularly in the Western United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes three primary forms of the infection:
- Bubonic plague: The most common form, which usually results from the bite of an infected flea. It causes painful, swollen lymph nodes known as "buboes."
- Septicemic plague: This occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream.
- Pneumonic plague: This is the most severe form and the only type that can spread from person to person through infectious droplets in the air.
How does the plague spread in Arizona?
In Arizona, the risk of plague is primarily linked to the environment. The bacteria circulate within populations of wild rodents, such as prairie dogs, squirrels, and chipmunks. Humans typically become infected through the bite of infected fleas that have left their rodent hosts.
According to Coconino County Health and Human Services, the risk increases when humans or pets come into close contact with these wildlife populations or their burrows. While human cases are rare, they are not unheard of in Northern Arizona, where the high-altitude climate supports the rodent populations that carry the bacteria.
What are the symptoms of plague?
Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. Symptoms usually appear within two to eight days after exposure. According to the CDC, common clinical signs include:
- Sudden onset of fever and chills.
- Headache and body aches.
- Extreme weakness or fatigue.
- Swollen and painful lymph nodes (in bubonic cases).
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough (in pneumonic cases).
Patients experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Modern antibiotics, such as streptomycin, gentamicin, or doxycycline, are highly effective if administered early in the course of the infection.
How can you reduce your risk?
Public health officials recommend several practical steps to minimize the risk of exposure to the plague in endemic areas:
- Avoid contact with wildlife: Do not touch or feed wild rodents, especially those that appear sick or are found dead.
- Keep pets safe: Use flea control products on dogs and cats, and keep them on a leash to prevent them from roaming into rodent burrows.
- Clean up your property: Remove brush, woodpiles, and debris from around homes to discourage rodents from nesting near living areas.
- Use insect repellent: When hiking or camping in areas known for plague activity, use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET to prevent flea bites.
Health authorities in Coconino County continue to monitor the situation. Residents are encouraged to report sightings of sick or dying rodents to local animal control or public health departments rather than attempting to handle the animals themselves.