Plague Infects Three People in New Mexico
The deadly disease can be spread by household pets
www.smithsonianmag.comHere’s the latest I can provide based on recent public reporting:
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There have been ongoing reports of plague cases in the western United States in 2025 and 2024, including human cases linked to exposure in rural or camping settings and occasional fatalities in some areas. These cases are rare, treatable with antibiotics, and public health agencies emphasize early medical attention if symptoms develop.[1][2][5][6][10]
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Key facts to keep in mind: plague in humans is typically due to flea bites from infected wildlife or contact with infected animals; pneumonic plague can transmit between people but is uncommon and early treatment is highly effective. Public health guidance consistently recommends seeking prompt medical care if you develop sudden fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a severe cough after potential exposure areas.[2][5][10][1]
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Geographic pattern: outbreaks and cases in the United States have been concentrated in western states (e.g., New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon), often associated with outdoor activities such as camping or proximity to wildlife reservoirs; the UK and Europe report very few or no local transmission. Global coverage varies by year, with occasional sporadic cases elsewhere.[3][5][1]
Illustration: If you’d like, I can summarize recent case counts by state or map the reported cases over time. I can also pull more precise, up-to-date sources if you specify a region (e.g., UK, Europe, US) and a date window.
Would you like a quick country/regional snapshot or a short table of notable 2024–2025 plague updates with sources? Note: I’ll include citations after each fact.