Oregon reports rare human plague case, likely transmitted by domestic cat
Officials from Oregon have reported this occurrence of plague in Deschutes County, based on a report by Barron's, citing AFP. Although the plague is extremely rare and easily curable in developed countries today, it still carries potential risks.
9:44 AM EST, February 14, 2024
The patient diagnosed with the plague was likely infected by their pet cat. The patient is currently under treatment, and their identity remains undisclosed. "All individuals who came into close contact with the patient and their pet have been notified and given preventative medications," announced Deschutes County Health official, Dr. Richard Fawcett, last week.
As reported by Barron's, the symptoms of the plague generally manifest around 8 days after contact with an infected animal. These include fever, nausea, weakness, chills, and muscle aches. "Fortunately, this case was identified and is being treated in the earlier stages of the disease, reducing the risk to the community," the officials added.
During the investigation of this infectious disease, no additional cases of plague were found," the statement further clarified. Oregon's Health Office confirms that plague instances are infrequent in this region; the most recent case before this was recorded in 2015.
Source: Barron's
