Oregon Reports First Plague Case Since 2015 Linked to Pet Cat

A resident of Deschutes County, Oregon, has been diagnosed with the bubonic plague, marking the state's first case in nearly a decade.

Health officials in Deschutes County, Oregon, confirmed the state's first case of human plague since 2015, likely contracted from the patient's pet cat.
The infected individual was treated in the early stages of the disease, significantly reducing the risk to the community.
Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, can manifest in three forms: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic, with bubonic being the most common in the U.S.
The disease can be transmitted to humans through flea bites or direct contact with infected animals, including pets.
Early treatment with antibiotics is crucial for recovery, especially to prevent the more lethal pneumonic plague.