According to a news release issued by the state’s health department last Friday, a man in New Mexico passed away following a bout of the bubonic plague.
As per the New Mexico Department of Health, this is the first human case of plague in the state since 2021 and the first fatality since 2020.
The man lived in Lincoln County, according to the department of health, and NMDOH personnel are reaching out to locals. The man’s name was not disclosed to the media. Additionally, the department of health announced that a community-wide “environmental assessment” will be carried out to search for persistent risks.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the Lincoln County man who succumbed to plague,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps, DVM, MPH, in the news release. “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 fatality occurs around one month after a human case of the dreaded disease was identified in Oregon, sparking concerns about the notorious illness. Authorities in Oregon have verified that the afflicted individual contracted the plague from their indoor feline.
The individual who was infected was identified and treated at an early stage, “posing little risk to the community,” according to Deschutes County, Oregon, officials.
The plague is a bacterial illness that mostly affects rodents and is transmitted to humans by flea bites, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
Additionally, direct contact with infected animals—including rats, wildlife, and pets—can spread the infection.
Human plague symptoms, according to the New Mexico Department of Health, include a sudden onset of fever, chills, headaches, and weakness. The majority of the time, there is a painful lymph node swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin region.
The disease can result in serious sickness or even death if treatment is delayed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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