A 77-year-old man residing in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, has tested positive for plague, health officials confirmed on September 24. The man was hospitalized, but has since been released.
It is the second case of plague this year in New Mexico, albeit none fatal, and follows another case registered in California in August. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an average of seven human plague cases annually across the country.
The disease is typically transmitted through bites from infected fleas or contact with contaminated animals.Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure and may include fever, chills, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. When diagnosed early, plague can be effectively treated with commonly available antibiotics.
According to the CDC, most cases occur in rural areas of the Western United States. While rare, recent cases serve as a reminder to remain cautious when spending time outdoors, especially in regions where wild rodents are present.
For more information on the history and evolution of the "Black Death" in modern times—and how humans have adapted over the centuries—click on to learn more.