A domestic cat has died from the bubonic plague in Colorado, just weeks after an Arizona resident succumbed to the same illness. The cat, from Evergreen, tested positive for Yersinia pestis bacteria and did not survive, according to Jefferson County Public Health officials.
This is the first confirmed animal case of the plague in the county since 2023. The announcement comes as a warning about the potential for an outbreak, following a recent death in Arizona due to the same disease.
The plague can be transmitted through bites from infected fleas or direct contact with infected animals. Human cases are rare but can be life-threatening without proper treatment. Symptoms include sudden high fever, chills, headache, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes.
Pets typically show similar symptoms, such as fever, low energy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. If treated early, the disease can be managed with antibiotics. To reduce the risk, officials urge people to avoid contact with dead, sick, or wild animals and to keep pets indoors to prevent flea infestations.
According to Jefferson County Environmental Health Director Jim Rada, animal cases like this one are not uncommon in Colorado during warmer months, and local veterinarians play a crucial role in detecting and treating the disease.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/08/07/us-news/dead-colorado-cat-tests-positive-for-the-plague-just-weeks-after-arizona-resident-dies-of-troubling-disease