YAVAPAI COUNTY, AZ – Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS) is investigating suspect case of pneumonic plague in a Yavapai County resident. This is an isolated case, and public health officials are actively investigating the source of exposure. YCCHS is awaiting final confirmation on samples sent to Arizona State Department of Health Services Lab.
Contact tracing is currently underway. Public health staff are identifying and directly contacting individuals who may have had close, face-to-face contact with the patient to provide guidance and preventative medication if necessary.
Plague is a bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis. While most commonly known to spread through flea bites (bubonic plague), pneumonic plague occurs when the bacteria infects the lungs. It is the most serious form of the disease and can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets from a coughing individual or animal.
Symptoms typically develop within 1 to 4 days of exposure and progress rapidly. Residents should seek immediate medical care if they experience a sudden onset of any of the following:
- Sudden high fever and chills
- Severe headache
- Extreme weakness or fatigue
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- A cough, which may produce bloody or watery mucus
To reduce the risk of plague exposure from local wildlife and fleas, health officials recommend the following precautions:
- Protect Pets: Treat dogs and cats regularly for fleas according to your veterinarian’s recommendations. Do not allow roaming pets to hunt wild rodents.
- Avoid Wildlife Contact: Do not touch or handle sick or dead animals. Avoid areas with active rodent burrows.
- Eliminate Rodent Habitats: Keep your property clear of brush piles, rock piles, or accumulated trash where rodents might nest. Keep pet food in secure, rodent-proof containers.
- Use Insect Repellent: Apply EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin when spending time outdoors or clearing brush.
YCCHS will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as verified information becomes available. For general questions about plague, visit the CDC website or contact Yavapai County Community Health Services.
