A wild rat in New Mexico has been confirmed to have the plague, following earlier diagnoses of four dogs with the disease this year, according to officials.
A resident found a dead rodent infected with the plague on their property in Santa Fe County and reported it for testing, as stated by the New Mexico Department of Health.
This marks the first instance of a wild animal testing positive for the plague in Santa Fe County this year. Previously, four cases of plague among dogs had been confirmed in New Mexico, including three in Santa Fe County and one in Bernalillo County.
“Even though this case involves animals, it’s crucial to note that humans can also contract the plague, either through flea bites or direct contact with infected animals, such as rodents, wildlife, and even pets,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, Deputy State Epidemiologist.
“If pets consume an animal with plague or get bitten by an infected flea, they can become ill as well,” Smelser added.
Although human cases of the plague are uncommon, nearly half of the annual cases in the U.S. occur in New Mexico, according to health officials.
The illness can be serious if not treated promptly but is generally treatable with antibiotics when detected early. Symptoms in humans may include sudden high fever, chills, headaches, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes.
Infected pets may display signs such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes, according to experts.
The New Mexico Department of Health advises residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their pets from the plague. These measures include tidying up areas around homes where rodents might live, such as wood and brush piles, junk, and abandoned vehicles.
It is suggested that pet food and water be placed in areas not reachable by rodents, and that people avoid contact with sick or dead rodents and rabbits.
Additionally, pets should be treated with veterinarian-approved flea control products and taken to a veterinarian if they show symptoms of illness.
Notably, last year, a man from Arizona and his cat in Colorado died from bubonic plague, and a 43-year-old man in Valencia County, New Mexico, was hospitalized with the disease in 2025.
