California resident contracts plague during Lake Tahoe camping trip

In August 2025, a resident of South Lake Tahoe, California, tested positive for the plague, marking El Dorado County's first human case of the disease since 2020. Health officials suspect that the individual contracted the disease from an infected flea while camping in the area, which is known to have a presence of plague in its wildlife. The patient is currently recuperating at home under medical supervision, and local health agencies have initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the infection. Furthermore, the California Department of Public Health alerted local officials regarding this case, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance. Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, predominantly spreads through flea bites from infected rodents, such as squirrels and chipmunks. Though the incidence of plague is exceedingly rare among humans, the infection can lead to serious health complications. Symptoms typically manifest within two weeks following exposure and may include fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes. Early detection and treatment with antibiotics can effectively manage the illness, leading to recovery in most cases. Prior to this incident, El Dorado County had not reported a human case of plague since 2020, a period during which several surveillance efforts identified numerous rodents with plague exposure in the region. Specifically, an extensive investigation from 2021 to 2024 revealed that 41 rodents had shown evidence of exposure to the plague pathogen in El Dorado. In the early months of 2025, four additional rodents were found to be plague-positive in the Tahoe Basin. These findings underline the ongoing risk posed by the disease in certain outdoor recreational areas, which necessitates caution from the public. Health officials, including Kyle Fliflet, the acting director of public health, are encouraging individuals to take preventive measures when engaging in outdoor activities, particularly in habitats where rodent populations are prevalent. They have issued guidelines advising the public to be vigilant about their surroundings and protect both themselves and their pets from potential risks associated with plague. Additionally, in light of a recent death in Arizona due to pneumonic plague, officials are reminding the public about the serious implications associated with this ancient disease, which continues to pose a health threat in modern times.