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A human case of bubonic plague has been reported from Chaffee Country in the state of Colorado. The infection was laboratory confirmed by Public Health on 10 July 2015. The Colorado Department of Public Health has recorded 18 laboratory confirmed human cases of plague since 2005, including this most recent case.
Investigation of the case identified that the family pet dog was ill with symptoms suggestive of plague a few days prior to the onset of illness in the owner. The dog has since recovered and laboratory test are awaited.
The human case is recovering in hospital following intravenous antibiotics.
A 16-year-old male from the Cherokee Park area of northern Colorado died on 8 June 2015, from the septicaemic form of plague.
(Via Chaffee County Times - accessed 22/07/15)
Plague is an infection of wild rodents and is transmitted by fleas to other animals and humans. The risk to travellers is generally low, however, travel to plague endemic areas may be a risk, particularly if camping, hunting or having contact with rodents.
In plague endemic areas contact with rodents should be discouraged. Travellers to these areas should be advised on how to store and dispose of food produce to prevent attracting rodents. Avoidance of flea bites must be advised by use of repellents and insecticides. Travellers should also be discouraged from camping and handling rodents both dead and alive.
