South Lake Tahoe resident tests positive for plague
A South Lake Tahoe resident has been diagnosed with the plague, marking the first human case in California since 2015.
Health officials believe the person may have been bitten by an infected flea while walking their dog in the area, according to a press release from the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency.
The infected person is recovering at home under the care of a medical professional, the release said.
Symptoms of plague often appear within two weeks of exposure and can include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes, according to the release. Treatment with antibiotics can be effective if the infectious disease is detected early enough.
El Dorado County Health officials say they are still investigating the circumstances of the case after being notified of the positive test result by the California Department of Public Health.
"Human cases of plague are extremely rare but can be very serious," El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams said in the release, noting that plague is naturally present in many parts of the state including the higher elevation areas of El Dorado County.
Officials say the individual is under medical care while recovering at home. They believe the person, who is an avid walker, may have been bitten by an infected flea while walking their dog along the Truckee River corridor north of the U.S. Highway 50 or the Tahoe Keys area in South Lake Tahoe.
Several areas of South Lake Tahoe have signs posted to advise the public of the presence of plague and ways to prevent exposure.
Plague is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, officials said. Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by fleas that have acquired the bacteria from infected squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents. Dogs and cats may also bring plague-infected fleas into the home. People can get plague when they are bitten by infected fleas. Plague can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild rodents and by keeping pets away from rodent burrows.
"It's important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and/or camping in areas where wild rodents are present," Williams added.
The last confirmed case of plague in California was in 2015, when two people were exposed to infected rodents or their fleas in Yosemite National Park. Both people were treated and recovered.
Before that, there hadn't been a case in the state since 2006.
In recent decades, an average of seven cases of human plague have been reported each year in the United States, with a range of one to 17 cases per year, the CDC reports.
Earlier this month, a New Mexico man in his 20's died from septicemic plague. He was the state's second confirmed case this year.
