Overview

• The domestic cat in Evergreen tested positive for Yersinia pestis and died, marking Jefferson County’s first confirmed animal plague case since 2023.
• The case emerges weeks after an Arizona man died from pneumonic plague, with his autopsy revealing the Yersinia pestis infection.
• Plague remains rare in the Western United States, averaging seven human cases annually and posing low overall risk to the public.
• Health officials note that flea bites and contact with infected wildlife drive zoonotic transmission, and local veterinarians often serve as first responders for pet cases.
• Authorities advise pet owners to use flea prevention, keep animals leashed, avoid wildlife and seek prompt medical evaluation for any illness signs.