A recent death in Flagstaff has raised concerns about the plague, but health officials are urging the public not to panic. According to Will Humble, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association, pneumonic plague is a treatable disease that spreads through bites from infected fleas, typically found on animals such as prairie dogs and pets.
The disease can be identified by symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, and weakness, but it’s often mistaken for other conditions. Humble emphasized that while the plague is rare in Arizona, precautions can be taken to prevent exposure.
Coconino County Health and Human Services recommends avoiding contact with wild animals, using insect repellents, and keeping pets on leashes. They also advise reporting prairie dog die-offs, as these can indicate the presence of disease.
In Arizona, the plague is most common in Coconino, Navajo, or Apache counties, but the chances of contracting it are extremely low. With proper precautions and treatment, individuals can minimize their risk of getting infected.
Health officials stress that while COVID-19 is more contagious than the plague, both diseases can be treated with antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that only about seven cases of pneumonic plague are reported in the US each year, making it a rare occurrence.
Source: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/plague-arizona-health-officials-address-concerns-after-flagstaff-death