A South Lake Tahoe resident contracted plague after an infected flea bite while camping and is receiving medical care at home. Plague is naturally present in parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County, and officials advise precautions for people and pets when walking, hiking or camping in areas with wild rodents. Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis and most commonly spreads via infected flea bites; it can also spread from infected rodents or exposure to infected dogs and cats. The disease is uncommon in the U.S. but can be fatal if untreated; prompt antibiotic treatment improves outcomes. Previous local cases occurred in 2020 and 2015.
A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for the plague - yes, the same pest-transmitted disease estimated to have killed 25 million Europeans in the Middle Ages. It is believed that the person contracted the rare and dangerous disease after being bitten by an infected flea while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area, according to El Dorado County health officials.
Plague is a very serious disease but can be treated with easily available antibiotics, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sooner a patient is diagnosed and receives treatment, the greater their chances of making a full recovery, according to the CDC. The disease is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is most commonly spread to humans by bites from infected fleas, according to El Dorado County health officials.
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