Plague Case Confirmed in South Lake Tahoe
A resident of South Lake Tahoe, California, has tested positive for the plague, local authorities reported this week.
On Tuesday, health officials in El Dorado County shared a statement revealing that they were informed of the situation by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The individual is currently recuperating at home and receiving medical care.
Officials believe the person might have contracted the disease from an infected flea while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area, a well-known recreational destination. They’re actively looking into the circumstances surrounding the case.
“Plague is naturally present in many regions of California, including the higher elevations of El Dorado County,” stated Kyle Fliflet, the acting director of public health for the county. He emphasized the importance of taking precautions, especially for both individuals and pets when engaging in outdoor activities in areas with wild rodents.
The plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is primarily transmitted through flea bites, which can come from infected squirrels, chipmunks, and other wild rodents.
Moreover, pets like dogs and cats can bring infested fleas into homes, officials noted.
In their advisory, local authorities recommended that the public steer clear of wild rodents and prevent pets from approaching rodent burrows.
While human cases of plague are exceptionally rare, they can be quite serious. Symptoms usually manifest within two weeks of exposure, presenting as fever, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. Early detection allows for effective treatment with antibiotics.
The CDPH regularly monitors rodent populations throughout California for signs of plague activity.
According to surveillance data from El Dorado County between 2021 and 2024, a total of 41 rodents had shown signs of exposure to the plague bacteria. So far in 2025, four rodents tested positive, all located within the Tahoe Basin.
This case isn’t the first instance of plague in the area. The last confirmed human case in El Dorado County occurred in 2020 and was also believed to be associated with the South Lake Tahoe region. Prior to that, two cases were reported in 2015 following exposure in Yosemite National Park. All affected individuals received treatment and recovered.
In 2021, the U.S. Forest Service temporarily closed several popular sites at Lake Tahoe after discovering plague in the chipmunk population. At that time, the agency mentioned that “vector control” workers would carry out necessary treatments in the area.
Additionally, last year, health officials in Colorado confirmed a human case of the plague.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are an average of seven human plague cases annually in the U.S., with most occurring in the western part of the country.
