Resident Dies from Plague in Flagstaff ER

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) - A person living in northern Arizona passed away due to the plague, according to health authorities who announced this on Friday, making it the first fatality in Coconino County in almost two decades.

A individual received treatment at a Flagstaff emergency department and passed away on the same day. It has now been verified that the cause of death was pneumonic plague, a serious respiratory infection triggered by the Yersinia pestis bacteria.

"Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) recently treated a patient at the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) Emergency Department. Despite proper early care and efforts to administer critical resuscitative measures, the patient did not survive and passed away in the Emergency Department on the same day. The NAH staff feels deeply affected by this tragic passing of someone from our local area," stated NAH.

Authorities verify that the individual was from Coconino County but were unable to share further details because of HIPAA rules.

Health authorities in Coconino County state that the Yersinia pestis bacteria, responsible for causing the plague, can spread to animals via bites from contaminated fleas. This same bacteria may also infect people through flea bites or contact with sick animals.

Interest in contracting it is incredibly minimal. I believe that if you were a family member of that individual and had been breathing the same air as them, you should likely be observed or simply keep an eye out for any emerging signs or symptoms," stated Dr. Frank LoVecchio, an emergency medicine doctor and professor at Arizona State University. "Consider all the people in the United States—around 330 million—and we only see approximately five to ten cases each year. Therefore, it's highly uncommon for someone to contract it.

This marks the first documented fatality caused by pneumonic plague in Coconino County since 2007. Officials from the health department mention that plague is uncommon among people, typically resulting in about seven cases annually across the United States. The likelihood of one person passing it to another is extremely low, with the most recent instance occurring as far back as 1924.

There are three kinds, you know—bubonic, which spreads through a flea bite. There's also septicemic, which comes from a flea bite after being exposed to an animal," explained Dr. LoVecchio. "The pneumonic type is the most severe and develops if untreated bubonic or septicemic plague reaches the lungs, or if someone breathes in infected droplets from an animal or another person who has it.

NAH is working alongside the Coconino County Health and Human Services Department (CCHHS) and the Arizona Department of Health Services. Authorities emphasize that this situation is unrelated to the recent prairie dog die-off in the Townsend-Winona area.

Our hearts extend to the family and loved ones of the departed," stated Patrice Horstman, chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, in a release. "We are holding them in our minds during this challenging period. In consideration of the family, further details regarding the passing will not be disclosed.

Officials from Coconino County health departments shared these recommendations to avoid contact with the plague:

Stay away from wild animals, regardless of their condition—whether they are healthy, ill, or deceased—and steer clear of regions where these creatures are commonly found.
Prevent fleas by using an insect repellant with 20-30% DEET and fold your pants' legs inside your socks.
Administer pet-specific flea medications recommended by veterinarians and ensure they remain leashed, avoiding regions where wild rats reside.
Get medical attention for ill pets, particularly those showing signs like elevated temperature, enlarged lymph glands, sluggishness, reduced food intake, or the emergence of a cough or eye discharge. Caution: Cats are very vulnerable to plague.
Eliminate debris, rocks, garbage, and wood near houses and structures to reduce the risk of rodents entering.
Do not set up camp near areas where rodents live and avoid lying directly on the earth when resting.
Notify your local health department about prairie dog deaths
Discover more advice and further details here .

Human symptoms of bubonic plague may manifest as long as eight days following contact with the bacteria, and might involve fever, shivering, headaches, fatigue, and body aches. Enlarged lymph glands can also occur in regions like the groin, underarms, or legs.

If detected at an early stage, plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics, and preventing exposure is crucial. Specialists recommend avoiding contact with wildlife, refraining from feeding or touching rats. It is also advisable to apply DEET to guard against flea bites.

Find out more about the pandemic here .

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