Summary
A person in Arizona died from pneumonic plague, marking the first such death in the county since 2007. Health officials say the risk of exposure to the public is low and the disease, once called the "Black Death," can now be treated with antibiotics.
Key Facts
- An Arizona resident died from pneumonic plague, confirmed by health officials.
- This is the first pneumonic plague death in Coconino County since 2007.
- Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
- There are different types of plague, with pneumonic plague affecting the lungs.
- Plague can be treated with antibiotics, and it's rare in humans today.
- About seven human plague cases are reported in the U.S. every year.
- The risk of public exposure to the plague remains low, according to officials.
- Symptoms of bubonic plague include fever, chills, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
