DESCHUTES COUNTY, Oreg. — The first case of human bubonic plague in Oregon since 2015 has been confirmed, and well being officers say it doubtless got here from a pet cat.
It occurred in Deschutes County and well being officers have been capable of determine the cat because the supply as a result of the animal was additionally displaying signs.
“All close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness,” stated Deschutes County Health Officer Dr. Richard Fawcett.
Symptoms in people normally begin inside two to eight days and will embrace fever, muscle aches, nausea, chills and swollen lymph nodes. If not identified early, the illness can infect the bloodstream or lungs.
Pet cats are extremely vulnerable to plague. The plague may be unfold via a flea chunk or by contact with an contaminated rodent earlier than it’s then handed on to people.
While very uncommon, human instances of the plague do nonetheless happen. The final case in Washington was in 1984 when a trapper was uncovered whereas skinning a bobcat.