Oregon Resident Contracts Bubonic Plague from Pet Cat, Prompting Health Advisory

Health officials confirm the treatability of bubonic plague with antibiotics, emphasizing the disease's rarity in the U.S. and the importance of early treatment.

A recent case of bubonic plague in Oregon, transmitted from a pet cat to its owner, has raised concerns but health officials assure it's treatable with antibiotics.
The infected individual in Oregon is the state's first known case in nearly a decade, with the disease being rare in the U.S. but still present.
Bubonic plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, can be fatal if untreated but has a high recovery rate with prompt antibiotic treatment.
Human-to-human transmission of bubonic plague is rare, with most infections resulting from flea bites or contact with infected animals.
Preventative measures include avoiding contact with wild rodents and their fleas, and ensuring pets are treated for fleas.