Human plague case in Oregon: Will it spread?

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Health officials in Oregon confirmed a case of human plague in a Deschutes County resident who they say was likely infected by their pet cat.

According to Oregon Health Authority, the plague is rare in the state, with the last case being reported in 2015. In the U.S., an average of 7 cases of human plague are reported each year, according to the CDC, and about 80% of them are the bubonic form of the disease. Most of those cases were in the rural western and southwestern U.S.

A welder in central Oregon contracted it in 2012 when he pulled a rodent out of his choking cat’s mouth in 2012 — he survived but lost his fingertips and toes to the disease. A Colorado teen contracted a fatal case while hunting in 2015, and Colorado officials confirmed at least two cases last year — one of them fatal.

The plague spreads to humans or animals through a bite from an infected flea or through contact with an infected animal. The most common animals to carry plague in central Oregon are squirrels and chipmunks. However, mice and other rodents can also carry it.  

Symptoms of plague may include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and/or swollen lymph nodes called buboes, Deschutes County health officials said. The symptoms usually begin to show in two to eight days after exposure.

Bubonic plague can progress to more severe and harder-to-treat forms like septicemic plague (a bloodstream infection) and/or pneumonic plague (a lung infection) if not treated early.

Fortunately, the case in Oregon was identified in the earlier stages of the disease and according to health officers with the county, the resident and their pet have been provided necessary treatment.

The county said no other cases of plague have been reported during their investigation.

They offered tips to help prevent the spread:

• People and their pets should avoid all contact with rodents and their fleas. Never touch sick, injured or dead rodents. 

• Keep pets on a leash when outdoors and use flea treatment products on them.

• Since pet cats are highly susceptible to plague and can transmit it to humans, the county recommends discouraging cats’ hunting of rodents.  

• Residents should keep wild rodents out of homes by removing food, woodpiles, etc. around their homes and outbuildings. 

• Do not camp or sleep near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents have been found.

• Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks or other wild rodents in campgrounds and picnic areas.

• Wear long pants tucked into boots and apply insect spray to socks and pant cuffs to reduce exposure to fleas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.