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A patient in Arizona has died from the plague while in an emergency room, raising concerns about the presence of this rare disease in the state. The individual was admitted to the hospital with symptoms consistent with the plague, a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is typically transmitted through flea bites or contact with infected animals.
The Arizona Department of Health Services is currently investigating the case to determine how the patient contracted the disease. Plague cases are rare in the United States, with most occurring in rural areas of the Southwest, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Health officials are urging residents to take precautions to avoid flea bites and contact with wild animals, especially rodents, which are known carriers of the bacteria. Symptoms of the plague include fever, chills, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications and even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends seeking immediate medical attention if plague is suspected, as early treatment with antibiotics can be effective.