Plague Cases in California: What’s Behind the Rise?

They state that the individual had visited Yosemite National Park prior to becoming ill.

“Warnings issued in California regarding plague were useful all the way across the country in Georgia”, California Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said in a statement. She was the second victim reported positive for the plague for this month.

“Antibiotics are effective in treating plague, but without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death”, said Patrick O’Neal, M.D., director of health protection for the Georgia Department of Public Health.

According to California officials, a second tourist who visited Yosemite National Park of California is diagnosed with plague.

Yosemite National Forest is the site of two plague cases in as many months. Veterinary epidemiologist of the National Forest Service, Danielle Buttke said there were no deceased rodents in the areas visited by the Lindquist’s, although the agency is still conducting environmental investigations of all the park’s areas.

The bacteria that causes bubonic plague is most commonly transmitted by fleas and transferred to humans via flea bites or through contact with contaminated tissue or fluids, usually from a sick or dead animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Without it, the doctor said Hannah could have died.

While the fleas came from rats aboard the ship, they soon spread to other rodents, such as mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs, all who call Yosemite and other parts of the western United States home.

Despite the recent increase in plague in California, the number of plague cases in humans seen so far in the United States this year is not out of the norm.

Early symptoms of plague include high fever, chills, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin. One human case of plague has been confirmed in California. Two people in Colorado died separately from the disease earlier in the year.

Modern day antibiotics are sufficient to wipe out an infection, and incidents of the plague often occur in rural areas where the fewest humans are affected.

Plague killed millions of people in Europe alone during the “Black Death” period of the 14th century.

· Spray insect repellent containing DEET on skin and clothing, especially socks and pant cuffs to reduce exposure to fleas. “Although this is a rare disease, people should protect themselves from infection by avoiding any contact with wild rodents”.