Doctors say plague is treatable & extremely rare
One person in Flagstaff died from the plague, but the Arizona Public Health Association says there’s no need to worry. Doctors say it’s very treatable and there are things you can do to protect yourself.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Arizona Public Health Association is advising the public that there is no need to worry about the plague, despite one person in Flagstaff dying from the disease. Doctors emphasize that it is very treatable, and there are steps individuals can take to protect themselves.
When many hear the word “plague,” their minds often jump to the Bubonic Plague from the 1300s, which, as Will Humble, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association, stated, “this disease actually killed between a third and a half of Europe.”
However, Humble explained that the word has a different meaning today.
“That is never going to happen in the rest of human history. We’ve figured out how to limit this disease,” he stated.
What they’re saying:
Although health officials in Coconino County announced its first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, Humble says there’s no need for panic.
He described how the disease typically spreads: “You have to have an infected prairie dog colony, that colony has to have fleas living on the prairie dogs, then you have to have usually a pet, cat or dog, to go into that prairie dog colony, get bit by the fleas, then they come home, the dog has fleas, and then they can bite the human, and that’s how the human can get the plague.”
Humble clarified that while pneumonic plague is caused by the same bacteria as Bubonic Plague, it is less visible in patients because it presents as pneumonia.
“It’s really difficult, I think, for a clinician to identify pneumonic plague,” he added.
Despite being able to spread among people, he noted that it isn’t as contagious as COVID-19 and is treatable.
“There is an antibiotic for this, but you have to get the antibiotic on board in time,” Humble said.
Should people living or camping in northern Arizona worry?
“No, I mean, it’s really rare,” Humble assured. “The only precaution is really to just keep your dogs on a leash, and people should be doing that anyway, right?”
In Arizona, the plague is most common in Coconino, Navajo, or Apache counties, but the chances of contracting it there are extremely low.
It’s important to note that while Will Humble mentioned prairie dogs in the interview, Coconino County states that this specific case was not related to the recent prairie dog die-off near Flagstaff.
What is the Plague?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the plague usually spreads through bites from fleas that previously bit an infected animal. The website notes there are three types of plagues: Bubonic, Septicemic, and Pneumonic. They are each named for the part of the body that gets a Yersinia pestis infection.
“While it still exists, plague is extremely rare now. Worldwide, 1,000 to 2,000 people are diagnosed with plague every year. Only about seven cases are reported in the U.S. each year,” read a portion of Cleveland Clinic’s website.
Symptoms of the plague include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness
To prevent exposure to plague, Coconino County Health and Human Services recommends:
- Avoid contact with wild animals. Never feed or handle wild rodents and avoid areas where they are known to live. Do not touch sick or dead animals.
- Avoid fleas. Use an insect repellent containing 20-30 percent DEET and tuck pant cuffs into your socks to help prevent flea bites.
- Use veterinarian-approved flea treatments on pets, keep them on a leash, and keep them out of areas known to be inhabited by wild rodents.
- Report prairie dog die-offs. Prairie dogs are highly susceptible to plague but are not considered a long-term reservoir of the disease. They typically die off quickly after infection, making them an indicator species for plague presence. Active prairie dog colonies are not harmful but a sudden reduction/die-off in prairie dog colonies may indicate the presence of disease. Those noticing a sudden die-off of rodents or rabbits within Coconino County are urged to contact CCHHS Animal Services at 928-679-8756 or Environmental Health at 928-679-8760.
- Prevent rodent infestations by removing brush, rock piles, trash, and lumber from around homes and outbuildings. Store food in rodent-proof containers.
- Do not camp next to rodent burrows and avoid sleeping directly on the ground.
- Seek veterinary care for sick pets. If your pet shows symptoms such as a high fever or swollen lymph nodes, is lethargic, has a loss of appetite or develops a cough or eye drainage, contact a veterinarian immediately. It is recommended to call before visiting the veterinarian’s office for instructions to help limit exposure to potential disease.
- Be aware that cats are highly susceptible to plague and while they can get sick from a variety of illnesses, a sick cat (especially one allowed to run at large outside) should receive care by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.