Rare case of lymph node plague in Oregon: Resident likely infected from his cat.
The human plague case has been verified by Deschutes County Health Services in Oregon.
A pet ownerHealth officials in central Oregon have reported a rare occurrence of someone contracting the bubonic plague, which is believed to have been transmitted from their pet cat.
press release. Deschutes County Health Services verified the presence of the plague in a community member recently. According to health authorities, it is highly probable that the individual contracted the disease from their cat, which was showing symptoms.Feb. 7 press release.
Dr. Richard Fawcett, the health officer of Deschutes County, stated in the statement that they have reached out to and given medication to all individuals who had been in close contact with the resident and their pet to prevent any potential sickness.
Lymphoplasmacytic plague infects Oregon resident: Officials investigate possible infection from cat.
According to the health authority in Oregon, this is the first occurrence of the bubonic plague in the state since 2015. The presence of the plague is considered to be unusual in Oregon.
Health officials in Deschutes County have stated that the case was promptly detected and addressed during its initial phases, thus presenting minimal danger to the community.
In the statement, health officials announced that there have been no new occurrences of the plague revealed during the investigation of the contagious disease.
How does bubonic plague spread?
How to protect yourself from lymph node plague: Lessons from the Oregon case
According to the Oregon Health Authority, humans or animals can contract the plague through being bitten by an infected flea or by coming into contact with an animal that is already infected with the disease.
Deschutes County Health Services has advised residents to refrain from any interaction with rodents and their possible fleas, and to avoid touching rodents that are sick, injured, or deceased in order to contain the transmission of the plague.
County health officials advised residents to prevent pets from getting close to sick or deceased rodents or from investigating rodent burrows.
What are symptoms of bubonic plague?
According to the health authority, signs of the plague typically manifest in humans within a range of two to eight days after they have been exposed to an infected animal or flea.
According to the state health authority, signs of the illness might consist of an abrupt rise in body temperature, feeling queasy, lacking energy, experiencing shivers, having muscle pains, and/or noticing enlarged lymph nodes known as buboes.
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Is bubonic plague treatable?
The plague is a highly severe disease, however it can be cured using antibiotics that are typically administered for a duration of seven to 14 days.as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAccording to the CDC, individuals can still succumb to the plague if they do not receive appropriate treatment.
In the Middle Ages, millions of people in Europe were fatally affected by the bubonic plague, which was prevalent before the discovery of antibiotics. People were unaware that the plague was transmitted by fleas that resided on rats.
Pets and lymph node plague: Is there a risk?
As per the CDC, the arrival of the plague in the United States occurred in 1900 via steamships infested with rats. The western region of the U.S. is where this infectious disease is predominantly found.
In August 2020, a California resident tested positiveThe first instance of the plague in the state in five years has been identified.
According to a statement by El Dorado County, the individual who contracted the plague in South Lake Tahoe had a strong interest in walking and it was suspected that they may have been bitten by a flea carrying the infection while accompanying their dog along the Truckee River Corridor.
