Health officials have confirmed that a resident of South Lake Tahoe has tested positive for the plague, a disease that is historically infamous for devastating populations centuries ago but is now rare and treatable with modern medicine. The El Dorado County Department of Public Health reported the case and said that the individual likely contracted the illness through a flea bite while camping.
Although hearing the word “plague” may immediately bring to mind images of the Black Death that wiped out millions in medieval Europe, experts emphasize that the disease today is nowhere near as catastrophic thanks to advances in antibiotics and public health awareness. Still, they caution that it should be taken seriously. The patient, who has not been publicly identified, is currently recovering at home under medical supervision and is expected to make a full recovery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, human plague cases in the United States are extremely uncommon, averaging only about seven per year. These cases are usually associated with contact between humans and wild rodents or their fleas, most often in rural or semi-rural areas of the western United States. The plague bacteria, known as Yersinia pestis, can live in animal populations and be transmitted by fleas that feed on infected animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs, and other small mammals.
While this natural cycle of plague still exists, the likelihood of contracting it remains low for most people. The disease itself can take several forms. The most common is bubonic plague, which causes swollen and painful lymph nodes, fever, chills, and fatigue. If left untreated, it can progress to septicemic plague, which spreads in the bloodstream, or pneumonic plague, which infects the lungs and can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets. The good news is that when identified early, plague is highly treatable with antibiotics, and modern medical care has dramatically reduced its fatality rate compared to historic times.
In this recent case, El Dorado County health officials are reminding the public to stay cautious when engaging in outdoor activities in areas where wildlife is common. They advise avoiding contact with rodents, keeping pets on flea prevention treatments, and refraining from feeding wild animals. Campers in particular should take precautions such as not leaving food out that could attract wildlife, steering clear of rodent nests or burrows, and using insect repellents to reduce the risk of flea bites. Pets can also bring fleas into the home, so maintaining regular flea control on cats and dogs is important for reducing exposure. Although plague sounds alarming, health experts stress that isolated cases like this one are manageable and not indicative of a broader outbreak.
California, along with other western states such as Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, has reported occasional cases of plague over the years, typically linked to outdoor recreation or rural living. Public health agencies routinely monitor rodent populations for signs of plague activity and provide updates to residents when risks are identified. This system of surveillance, combined with the availability of antibiotics, ensures that the disease no longer poses the same existential threat it once did centuries ago. However, experts continue to stress the importance of vigilance.
The case in South Lake Tahoe serves as a reminder that while plague is rare, it has not disappeared entirely from the natural environment. Individuals who develop sudden symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue after potential exposure to flea bites should seek medical care immediately. Quick diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing complications and ensuring recovery. While the El Dorado County case remains isolated and officials say there is no broader risk to the public, they urge residents to remain aware, especially those who spend time camping, hiking, or living in areas where wild rodents are present. The ongoing presence of plague in wildlife populations underscores the need for continued education and precautionary measures. Officials also note that modern medicine has changed the landscape dramatically.
Unlike in past centuries when plague spread unchecked, today’s health systems are equipped to manage and contain cases effectively. The South Lake Tahoe resident’s recovery at home highlights how treatable the illness is when addressed quickly. For the average person, the risk remains extremely low, but the case is a reminder to respect nature and take reasonable steps to protect oneself when venturing outdoors in areas where fleas and wild rodents may be found. Public health experts reiterate that the plague is treatable, rare, and manageable, but still deserving of caution.
