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By Gabe Whisnant and Sonam Sheth
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An Arizona resident died on Friday from the pneumonic plague, Coconino County officials said. The infection is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium.
Why It Matters
Plague is rare in humans and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that an average of seven human plague cases are reported per year.
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What To Know
Arizona health officials clarified that the death is unrelated to a recent prairie dog die-off in the Townsend-Winona area, located northeast of Flagstaff.
"This is the first recorded death from Pneumonic plague in Coconino County since 2007 when an individual had an interaction with a dead animal infected with the disease," the state said in a statement.
Plague is rare in humans and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that an average of seven human plague cases are reported per year.
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"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased," Patrice Horstman, the chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors said. "We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released."
Public health officials say that people should avoid contact with wild animals; avoid fleas; report prairie dog die-offs; prevent rodent infestations; seek veterinary care for sik pets; and be aware that cats are highly susceptible to plague.
Symptoms of plague in humans include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Weakness
- Muscle Pain
Some people may also develop swollen lymph nodes, which are most commonly in the groin, armpits or limbs. Plague can be deadly but is curable with antibiotic therapy if it's diagnosed and treated early.
What People Are Saying
**Arizona officials said in a statement Friday: "**The bacterium that causes plague, Yersinia pestis, can be transmitted to animals through bites from infected fleas. The disease can be transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected flea or through contact with an infected animal."
The statement continued: "According to health officials, the risk of human-to-human transmission is very low. The last reported occurrence of human-to-human transmission was reported in 1924, according to the National Institutes of Health, and is typically spread through respiratory droplets. Due to the endemic nature of plague in the southwest United States, CCHHS maintains a surveillance system for the disease. CCHHS also conducts surveillance for other endemic diseases, including West Nile virus, hantavirus, and rabies, to rapidly detect disease, understand its spread, and implement control measures to protect the public."
What Happens Next
Arizona officials said people with symptoms consistent with plague should contact a physician immediately and give their healthcare provider information about possible exposure to rodents or fleas.
Update 7/11/25, 3:26 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and context.
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