Bubonic plague bacteria from a patient (CDC)
HOLBROOK, Arizona. – Northeastern Arizona county health officials said a man had contracted the human plague and are warning the public to take precautions to limit the risk of exposure.
Navajo County assistant manager Bryan Layton said Friday a man over 55 is being treated for the disease while an investigation is carried out into how he contracted it.
People typically contract plague after being bitten by an infected flea that carries the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with the plague. Modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague, although without prompt treatment the disease can lead to serious illness or death.
The Navajo County Health Department encouraged people to avoid rodent dens and keep dogs on a leash.
Human symptoms of plague usually appear within two to six days of exposure and include fever, chills, headache, and often swelling of the armpit lymph nodes.
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