Arizona Resident Dies from Pneumonia Linked to Plague

Officials have reported that a resident of Arizona, who has not been named, died of pneumonia and is the first death from this illness in almost two decades in the region. The individual lived in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff.

The last documented death in Coconino County related to this illness was back in 2007. Generally, there are only about seven cases diagnosed each year in the U.S., predominantly found in western states.

The plague is most commonly found in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern California, as well as parts of western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This disease is particularly prevalent in Africa. Pneumonia, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the plague. Historically, the plague claimed millions of lives across Europe during the infamous outbreaks in the 14th century but is now treatable with antibiotics.

While the bubonic plague is the most familiar form, which impacts lymph nodes, septicemic plague primarily affects blood flow.

The infectious nature of the plague generally spreads through flea bites from wild rodents. Contact with infected animals or even person-to-person transmission is possible as well. The Arizona Department of Health Services hasn’t yet commented on the situation.