Overview

• An unidentified Coconino County resident died July 11 at Flagstaff Medical Center from confirmed pneumonic plague within hours of admission.
• Arizona Department of Health Services used rapid diagnostic testing to issue a presumptive Yersinia pestis diagnosis, later confirmed by county officials.
• This marks the first recorded pneumonic plague fatality in Coconino County since 2007.
• Officials clarified the human fatality is not connected to a recent prairie dog die-off and are collecting fleas for testing on private land.
• Health authorities urge residents to report dead wildlife, protect against flea exposure and seek immediate care for plague-like symptoms.