In a tragic reminder of a historical affliction, a resident of Arizona has succumbed to pneumonic plague, marking the first incident of its kind in Coconino County since 2007, according to health officials. The county's Health and Human Services confirmed this report on Friday. Notably, the previous case involved interaction with an infected dead animal.
Tragic Pneumonic Plague Death Recorded in Arizona
Tragic Pneumonic Plague Death Recorded in Arizona
Health officials report the first death from pneumonic plague in over a decade in Coconino County.
Historically recognized as the "Black Death," which decimated Europe’s population in the 14th century, the plague is now exceedingly rare among humans and treatable with antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the U.S. sees an average of seven reported cases annually.
Officials in Coconino County have reassured the public that the chances of exposure to the disease remain low. Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, extended condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing respect for their privacy by withholding further details surrounding the death.
Pneumonic plague, which is a serious lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is distinct from the more common bubonic plague, which is usually transgressed through flea bites. There are other forms of the disease, making symptoms of bubonic plague typically appear within two to eight days following exposure, including fever, chills, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
While the plague has been eradicated from the UK, health officials indicate that the risk for travelers to encounter the disease upon return to the country is very low. Preventative measures remain critical, such as using insect repellent, staying away from dead animals, and avoiding interaction with symptomatic individuals or crowded premises known for recent outbreaks.
Officials in Coconino County have reassured the public that the chances of exposure to the disease remain low. Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, extended condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing respect for their privacy by withholding further details surrounding the death.
Pneumonic plague, which is a serious lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is distinct from the more common bubonic plague, which is usually transgressed through flea bites. There are other forms of the disease, making symptoms of bubonic plague typically appear within two to eight days following exposure, including fever, chills, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
While the plague has been eradicated from the UK, health officials indicate that the risk for travelers to encounter the disease upon return to the country is very low. Preventative measures remain critical, such as using insect repellent, staying away from dead animals, and avoiding interaction with symptomatic individuals or crowded premises known for recent outbreaks.
