California Resident Tests Positive for Plague After Camping

Health officials in California have confirmed a new case of plague, a rare but serious disease best known for causing the Black Death centuries ago. A resident of South Lake Tahoe tested positive after likely being bitten by an infected flea while camping, according to El Dorado County authorities.

The individual is currently receiving medical care and is expected to recover. Officials emphasized that plague is treatable with antibiotics, but early diagnosis and treatment are critical to avoid severe illness or death.

Rare But Persistent

Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and occurs naturally in rural parts of the western United States, where it circulates among wild rodents and their fleas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of seven human cases are reported nationwide each year.

Transmission typically occurs through bites from infected fleas or contact with infected animals, including rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of exposure and can include fever, chills, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, also known as buboes.

Last month, a separate case in Arizona turned fatal when a person died from plague. Since 2000, at least 15 deaths from plague have been documented in the United States, according to the CDC.

Local Officials Urge Caution Outdoors

“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” said Kyle Fliflet, the county’s acting director of public health. “It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking, or camping in areas where wild rodents are present.”

Officials recommend avoiding contact with wild animals, keeping pets leashed and away from rodents, and using insect repellent to reduce the risk of flea bites. Pet owners are also advised to consult veterinarians about flea control treatments, since dogs and cats can carry infected fleas into homes.

Public Risk Remains Low

Despite the recent case, experts say the overall risk to the public remains very low. Human-to-human transmission of plague is extremely rare and generally limited to cases of pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs. No such cases have been reported in California.

Still, health officials encourage residents and visitors in the Tahoe area to remain vigilant. Campers and hikers are advised to avoid feeding wildlife and to steer clear of animal burrows where fleas are common.

A Treatable Illness

While plague once devastated populations in Europe during the Middle Ages, modern medicine has made it a curable disease. If caught early, antibiotics are highly effective. Delays in treatment, however, can lead to severe complications or death.

Health officials stressed that anyone who develops sudden flu-like symptoms after spending time outdoors in rodent-prone areas should seek medical care immediately.

For now, the case serves as a reminder that plague, while rare, continues to persist in parts of the American West — and that simple precautions can help prevent exposure.

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