Is the Bubonic Plague back? California resident tests positive after camping trip

Plague remains a part of US wildlife and isn't a new threat as California camper near South Lake Tahoe tests positive.

A South Lake Tahoe resident in California has tested positive for the plague, health officials confirmed this week, sparking renewed alarm over the disease historically known as the “Black Death”.

Authorities in El Dorado county said the case was reported to them by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Tuesday. The patient, who is now recovering at home under medical supervision, is believed to have been bitten by an infected flea while camping in the area.

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

The disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is most often spread through fleas that pick up infection from squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents. Pets such as dogs and cats can also carry infected fleas into homes, raising the risk of transmission.

Although human cases of plague are considered extremely rare, they can be serious. Symptoms include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes, which typically appear within two weeks of exposure. When diagnosed early, the disease is treatable with antibiotics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about seven human cases occur annually across the United States, mainly in western states.