Discover Healthy Solutions for Bubonic Plague in Pueblo, CO

Plague Confirmed in Pueblo County , Colorado

A recent case of the plague has been confirmed in Pueblo County , Colorado , by health officials . The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment ( PDPHE ) is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to investigate this concerning development . No specific details have been provided regarding the individual who contracted the plague.

The Bubonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis , a bacterium that was likely introduced to North America around 1900 . Since then , it has become endemic in ground squirrels and rodents in the rural Southwestern U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) states that half of the cases involve individuals between the ages of 12 and 45.

Globally , between 1,000 to 2,000 cases of the plague are reported to the World Health Organization each year , with only an average of seven cases annually in the U.S. If left untreated , the plague can have a fatality rate of 30 % to 60 % , but with antibiotics , this drops to below 5%.

Symptoms of the plague include severe headache , fever , chills , muscle aches , nausea , vomiting , and swollen lymph nodes . The disease can spread through droplets from an infected person , pets , rodents , and fleas . Preventative measures include avoiding rodents and fleas , keeping pets indoors , using repellent , wearing gloves when handling animals , and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.

The History and Spread of Plague

Plague , known as one of the deadliest bacterial infections in human history , caused an estimated 50 million deaths in Europe during the Middle Ages . Today , plague remains a rare but serious disease , with reported cases in various parts of the world . The disease is transmitted by fleas that live on rodents and can affect humans and other mammals.

Plague occurs naturally in rural areas in the western United States , particularly in states like Arizona , California , Colorado , and New Mexico . Modern antibiotics are effective in treating the disease if administered promptly after symptoms appear . While there is a vaccine for Yersinia pestis , it is recommended only for high - risk individuals.

Prevention strategies for plague include eliminating nesting places for rodents , reporting sick or dead animals , using insect repellent , treating pets for fleas regularly , and avoiding contact with animals that could be infected . It is important to seek medical attention if symptoms of the plague develop , as early treatment is crucial for a successful recovery.