Person in Colorado Infected with Bubonic Plague: Here's What to Know

Pueblo County, Colorado, has reported a rare case of bubonic plague, health officials confirmed this week. The infected individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, is currently hospitalized and showing signs of improvement. This case has prompted local and state health authorities to issue warnings and preventive measures to the public.

What is Bubonic Plague?

Bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium *Yersinia pestis*, which is typically transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that live on wild rodents. The disease can also spread through direct contact with infected animals or inhaling respiratory droplets from infected individuals or animals. Historically, bubonic plague is infamous for causing the Black Death in the 14th century, which decimated Europe's population.

Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms of bubonic plague usually appear one to seven days after exposure and include sudden onset of fever, chills, severe headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and swollen, painful lymph nodes known as buboes. These buboes typically develop in the groin, armpit, or neck and are a hallmark of the disease.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. "Plague can be treated successfully with antibiotics, but an infected person must be treated promptly to avoid serious complications or death," said Alicia Solis, program manager of the Office of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE).

Preventive Measures

Health officials have emphasized several preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting the plague:

- Eliminate Rodent Habitats: Remove brush, rock piles, trash, and excess firewood around homes, garages, sheds, and recreation areas to minimize rodent nesting spaces.
- Avoid Contact with Dead Animals: If handling dead or sick animals is necessary, use insect repellent to protect against fleas, wear gloves, and use a long-handled shovel to place the carcass in a garbage bag before disposing of it in an outdoor trash can.
- Use Insect Repellent: Apply insect repellent containing 20%-30% DEET to prevent flea bites. Treat pants, socks, shoe tops, arms, and legs.
- Pet Care: Regularly treat pets for fleas, avoid letting them hunt or roam in rodent habitats such as prairie dog colonies, and do not allow pets to sleep in bed with you. Store pet food in rodent-proof containers.

Local and Historical Context

Pueblo County, located about 100 miles south of Denver, is no stranger to plague cases. The disease naturally occurs in semi-rural to rural areas of the Western United States, including Colorado, Arizona, California, and New Mexico. Commonly infected animals include chipmunks, mice, prairie dogs, rabbits, squirrels, voles, and wood rats.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States records an average of seven human plague cases annually, with most occurring in the Southwest. The last significant urban outbreak in the U.S. was in Los Angeles in 1924-1925, linked to rat-infested ships.

Public Health Response

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is conducting confirmatory tests and working to determine the source of the infection. "The state is continuing to communicate with that person and their family," said Trysten Garcia, Public Information Officer for PDPHE. "Hopefully those conversations and interviews will shed a little bit more light for us to be able to get info out."

Health officials urge the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their pets from plague. For more information and updates, residents are encouraged to visit the PDPHE website.

Conclusion

While the bubonic plague is now rare and treatable with modern antibiotics, it remains a serious disease that requires prompt medical attention. The case in Pueblo County serves as a reminder of the importance of preventive measures and early treatment to mitigate the risks associated with this ancient but persistent threat.