Rare Plague Case Diagnosed in Arizona: Patient Died After

Arizona health officials have confirmed one of the rarest infections in the country: plague. A patient in rural northern Arizona was diagnosed with plague—a bacterial disease caused by Yersinia pestis—after experiencing sudden fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory distress. The case, confirmed in early July 2025, marks the first reported plague patient in Arizona this year.

Swift Response by Health Authorities

Upon receiving test results, the state’s health department alerted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The patient was immediately sent to the hospital and started on an aggressive antibiotic regimen—commonly doxycycline and gentamicin—the standard treatment for plague. Within 48 hours, their condition began improving, and they are now in stable but critical condition, according to officials.

How Plague Finds Its Way to People

Although plague is historically notorious, it remains extremely rare today. In the U.S., most cases are the result of contact with infected rodents or their fleas in rural and semi-rural areas, especially in the Southwest. In this instance, the patient likely handled or came into proximity with wild rodents on their property without knowing the risk.

Health experts stress that plague cannot spread through casual contact between humans; it generally requires direct bites from infected fleas or handling infected animals.

Public Health Measures in Motion

Local health departments have launched control measures, including checking rodent burrows and distributing flea-control kits to nearby residences. Officials are also working to raise community awareness about plague: avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wildlife, wearing gloves when handling animals, and using insect repellent and rodent-proofing methods around homes.

The CDC has sent a specialized epidemiological team to assist and is monitoring the situation. No additional cases linked to the initial patient have been reported so far.

Plague Today: A Rare but Treatable Threat

In recent years, the U.S. averages only 7 to 15 plague cases annually, mostly occurring in western states like Arizona, California, and New Mexico. With prompt antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate drops dramatically—from nearly 60 percent untreated to less than 10 percent when treated early.

This case serves as a reminder that historical diseases still exist and can reappear in modern times, especially in areas where humans and wildlife intersect.

Staying Safe During Outdoor Activities

Health authorities urge anyone living or working in rural settings to take simple precautions: use insect repellent, wear gloves when handling potentially infected animals, eliminate rodent nesting areas, and seek medical help for symptoms like sudden fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly if there’s known contact with wildlife.

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