Oregon has reported its first human case of the bubonic plague in eight years, with health officials confirming that the likely source of infection was a cat.

The incident, which occurred in Deschutes County, involved an unnamed resident who contracted the disease, with the transmission most likely coming from their pet. Dr. Richard Fawcett, the Deschutes County Health Services Officer, explained that all individuals who had close contact with both the resident and the cat have been notified and given preventive medication to avoid further spread.

The plague is traditionally transmitted through bites from infected fleas or direct contact with infected animals. Though human-to-human transmission is possible, it is rare. In this case, the infection was identified early, and the person received prompt treatment, mitigating the risks to the community. Health officials assure that no other plague cases have been reported in Oregon at this time, and the risk to the public remains minimal.

Historically infamous for wiping out a third of Europe’s population during the Black Death between 1347 and 1351, the bubonic plague is now treatable with modern antibiotics. Without treatment, however, the disease can escalate into septicemia or pneumonia, which can be fatal. Symptoms typically appear within two to eight days after exposure and may include fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and, most notably, swollen lymph nodes known as “buboes.”

Plague cases, though rare, continue to occur in rural regions of the Western United States, particularly in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. Between 1900 and 2012, the U.S. recorded over 1,000 confirmed or probable human cases of the plague, with the majority being of the bubonic form. On average, seven human plague cases are reported annually in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In response to the Oregon case, local health officials have urged precautions to prevent future infections. Recommendations include keeping pets on leashes while outdoors and avoiding feeding wild rodents like squirrels and chipmunks, which may carry the fleas that transmit the disease.

While the bubonic plague is no longer the devastating threat it once was, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, especially in rural areas where the disease remains a potential concern.