A resident of New Mexico recently succumbed to the bubonic plague, historically known as the “Black Death,” for its devastating impact on European populations during the Middle Ages. This incident is the second fatality in the state attributed to this ancient affliction since 2020, according to reports from Knewz.com.
The individual, of Lincoln County, whose identity has not been disclosed, was receiving medical treatment for the plague, which is transmitted by fleas found on rodents and can spread to humans through flea bites, as stated by the New Mexico Department of Health on March 8.
State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps commented on the situation, stating, “This tragic incident serves as a clear reminder of the threat posed by this ancient disease and emphasizes the need for heightened community awareness and proactive measures to prevent its spread.”
The health department has highlighted the risk posed by pets that are allowed to wander and hunt, as they can bring infected fleas into homes, thereby increasing the risk of human infection, per the outlet.
An environmental investigation is underway to evaluate the potential risk to the community.
Symptoms of the plague in humans typically include a sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and fatigue, accompanied by painful lymph node swelling in areas such as the groin, armpit, or neck. In pets, symptoms can manifest as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and possibly swollen lymph nodes under the jaw.
Without a vaccine available for plague prevention, health authorities stress the importance of minimizing contact with potentially infected rodents and taking steps to protect pets from flea exposure.
Recommendations for residents include preventing pets from roaming freely, using flea control products, and maintaining yards by removing or relocating woodpiles, brush, and compost heaps to deter rodent habitation.
The health department also advises immediate medical attention for anyone displaying symptoms of the plague in themselves or their pets, as early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment can significantly lower the mortality risk.
The most recent plague case before this one in New Mexico occurred in Torrance County in 2021. The state reported four cases in 2020 in Torrance County, Santa Fe County, and Rio Arriba County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that most U.S. cases of human plague are found primarily in two regions: a section of the West Coast encompassing parts of California, Oregon, and western Nevada, and a Southwest area spanning northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado. Since 1970, New Mexico has recorded the highest incidence of plague in the nation, followed by Colorado.
Plague was introduced to the U.S. in 1900 through rat-infested steamships, mostly arriving from Asia, with the last urban outbreak occurring in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1925. While plague outbreaks have been reported in Africa, Asia, and South America since then, the majority of human cases since the 1990s have been in Africa.
The Black Death pandemic of 1347-1351 stands as one of the deadliest events in human history, eradicating an estimated 30 to 60% of Europe’s population, as per Britannica.
