Health officials in South Lake Tahoe, California, have confirmed a rare case of plague after a local resident was bitten by an infected flea while camping. The case comes just weeks after a person in Arizona died from the same disease, raising fresh awareness about this centuries-old illness that still lingers in parts of the western U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium that naturally circulates among wild rodents and their fleas. On average, about seven human cases occur nationwide each year, most often in rural or higher-elevation areas.
Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of exposure and may include fever, weakness, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes. While the disease has a grim historical reputation, modern medicine offers an effective defense: antibiotics can cure plague if administered quickly. Delay in treatment, however, can lead to severe illness or death. Since 2000, at least 15 Americans have died from plague-related complications.
“El Dorado County has areas where plague is naturally present, especially at higher elevations,” said Kyle Fliflet, the county’s acting director of public health. “People need to take precautions for themselves and their pets when hiking, walking, or camping where wild rodents are common.”
Officials emphasize that the overall public risk remains low, and human-to-human transmission is extremely rare—still, preventive steps matter. Campers and pet owners are urged to avoid contact with wild rodents, use insect repellent, keep pets leashed, and prevent animals from roaming into rodent burrows.
While the word “plague” sparks fear, experts remind the public that with awareness, prevention, and prompt medical care, the risk of severe outcomes can be minimized.
