A man was diagnosed with bubonic plague, known as the Black Death, in El Dorado County, California, United States, on August 21, 2025, after being bitten by a flea during a camping trip, according to local health authorities. The infection, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, is rare but potentially fatal, prompting intensified alerts in rural areas. The patient, whose identity was not disclosed, is recovering at home under medical supervision after starting antibiotic treatment. This is the first case reported in the region since 2020, as per the county’s official statement. The Black Death, historically linked to devastating pandemics, persists in wild rodents in the western US, requiring vigilance from campers and residents. The case underscores the need for preventive measures against fleas and rodents to avoid further infections.
The incident reignites concerns about the bacterium’s circulation in natural areas, particularly in mountainous regions like El Dorado. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records an average of seven human plague cases annually in the US, with higher incidence in states like California, New Mexico, and Colorado.
- Essential prevention: Using repellents and treating pets for fleas are key measures.
- Local monitoring: Authorities have intensified inspections in camping areas.
- Controlled risk: Early diagnosis and antibiotics ensure a high recovery rate.
The current situation does not indicate an outbreak but highlights the importance of vigilance in endemic areas.
How the Black Death persists in the US
The bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which circulates among wild rodents and their fleas, especially in rural areas of the western US. El Dorado County, with its mountainous terrain, is a conducive environment for the bacterium, present in squirrels, marmots, and other animals. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through bites from infected fleas that carry the bacterium after feeding on sick hosts.
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The recent case does not suggest an epidemic risk but reinforces the need for ongoing monitoring. In 2020, a similar case in the same region led to awareness campaigns focused on prevention. The current patient, treated promptly with antibiotics like doxycycline, is recovering steadily, highlighting the effectiveness of early treatment.
- Risk areas: California, New Mexico, and Colorado have the most cases.
- Transmission: Flea bites or contact with infected animal fluids.
- Surveillance: Rodent testing helps map bacterial hotspots.
Symptoms and forms of the Black Death
The Black Death manifests in three main forms, with symptoms varying in severity. The bubonic form, diagnosed in the El Dorado patient, is the most common and is characterized by buboes, painful swellings in the lymph nodes. The pneumonic form, rarer, affects the lungs and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, while the septicemic form, which spreads through the bloodstream, is potentially lethal without immediate treatment.
Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of exposure. High fever, chills, extreme weakness, and localized pain are early signs. In the pneumonic form, breathing difficulties predominate, while the septicemic form can lead to severe complications like septic shock. Treatment with antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, is highly effective when started early.
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- Bubonic: Lymph node swelling, fever, and localized pain.
- Pneumonic: Cough, chest pain, and risk of airborne transmission.
- Septicemic: Systemic infection with risk of organ failure.
- Treatment: Antibiotics ensure recovery in up to 90% of cases.
The current case, in the bubonic form, was treated successfully but reinforces the importance of seeking medical help at the first sign of symptoms after outdoor activities.
Preventive measures against the Black Death
Preventing the Black Death relies on simple but critical actions to avoid contact with fleas and rodents. Health authorities recommend using DEET-based repellents, especially in rural areas, and regularly applying flea treatments to pets. Camping away from rodent colonies or debris piles also reduces risks.
Residents in endemic areas should keep properties clear of trash or dense vegetation that attracts rodents. The CDC advises anyone with fever or lymph node swelling after outdoor activities to seek immediate medical attention.
- Repellents: DEET products protect against flea bites.
- Cleanliness: Clear properties reduce rodent presence.
- Protected pets: Flea treatments prevent domestic transmission.
- Symptom awareness: Fever after camping requires prompt medical evaluation.
Local campaigns in El Dorado encourage reporting dead rodents, which may indicate the bacterium’s presence, aiding in the mapping of risk areas.
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History of the Black Death in the US
The Black Death arrived in the US around 1900, likely via infected rats on ships. Since then, the Yersinia pestis bacterium has established itself in wild rodent populations, such as squirrels and marmots, particularly in the western US. Between 1970 and 2020, about 500 human cases were recorded, with an 11% mortality rate in untreated cases.
States like New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado lead in case numbers, followed by California. Epidemiological surveillance and access to antibiotics have significantly reduced risks, but the bacterium’s presence in nature requires ongoing attention.
The El Dorado case serves as a reminder that the Black Death, though rare, remains a threat in specific areas. Actions like rodent traps and flea testing help monitor the bacterium’s circulation.
Health authorities’ response to the Black Death
El Dorado County authorities, in partnership with the CDC, are inspecting camping areas and trails to identify infected rodent hotspots. Informational flyers are being distributed in parks and campgrounds with prevention guidelines. The rapid response to the current case prevented spread, but vigilance remains high.
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Technologies like traps and laboratory flea testing enable mapping of Yersinia pestis presence. These efforts, combined with educational campaigns, help reduce the likelihood of new cases.
- Monitoring: Inspections in risk areas identify infection hotspots.
- Education: Flyers provide prevention guidance in campgrounds.
- Technology: Flea testing detects the bacterium quickly.
- Rapid response: Early treatment prevents complications.
Historical facts about the Black Death
The Black Death has a striking history, with profound impacts in past pandemics. Though controlled today, it sparks curiosity due to its devastating past and persistence in nature.
- Medieval Black Death: In the 14th century, it killed about 50% of Europe’s population.
- Beaked masks: Medieval doctors wore them to avoid “bad air.”
- Ancient evidence: The bacterium was found in 3,300-year-old Egyptian mummies.
- Modern reservoirs: Squirrels and marmots sustain the bacterium in the US.
Sanitary surveillance and effective treatment keep the disease under control, but its presence in wild rodents demands constant attention.