A noteworthy incident has shaken the state of New Mexico as health officials announced the demise of a resident due to plague, marking an unfortunate recurrence of human fatalities since 2020. This individual resided in Lincoln County, situated toward the southeast region of the state. Prior to his death, he was hospitalized following a diagnosis of the disease, the New Mexico Department of Health expounded in a press release disseminated last week.
Although details defining his identity such as his name, age, or ethnic background were not forthcoming, what’s evident is the lethality of the disease if not promptly treated. It’s worth noting that plague, a bacterial infection, can effectively be managed using widely available antibiotics. A favorable prognosis highly depends on the patient’s swift action to seek medical intervention, as emphasized by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As part of the response plan, staff from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) have embarked on initiatives to contact Lincoln County inhabitants and conduct a meticulous assessment of the surrounding environment to evaluate potential risks. The preceding case of human plague infection reported in New Mexico was a resident of Torrance County in 2021, while the year 2020 observed four cases, including one death in Rio Arriba County.
Plague, typically associated with the annihilation of millions during the European Middle Ages, continues to persist contrary to common belief. It is not, by any means, an extinct disease, clarified State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Erin Phipps in her conversation with ABC News.
Manifesting as the result of Yersinia pestis bacteria, plague is prevalent in the western expanse of the United States, especially in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah’s rural and semi-rural locations, as per the CDC. Frequently affecting several wild rodent species, including wood rats, rock squirrels, ground squirrels, mice, and prairie dogs, plague can be transmitted to humans through rodent flea bites or direct contact with an infected creature, including domesticated animals.
Phipps detailed three variants of plague: bubonic, identified by swollen lymph nodes or buboes; septicemic, resulting from the bacteria’s entry into the bloodstream; and pneumonic plague, following the infection’s presence in the lungs. Other common symptoms comprise of headaches, fever, chills, and fatigue.
Given its rarity, plague symptoms, apart from the distinctive buboes, can easily be confused with other illnesses making an accurate diagnosis by a medical professional crucial, Phipps explained. While it resulted in two-thirds of patients dying before the advent of antibiotics, the current fatality rate has been mitigated to 10%.
To minimize the risk, the NMDOH advises responsible cleanliness near homes to deter rodent habitation, preventing pets from freely roaming and hunting, storing pet food out of rodents’ reach, and maintaining a significant distance between residential buildings and hay or wood piles.
The state of New Mexico incident has emerged shortly after a similar occurrence in Oregon, where a resident contracted plague, likely from a pet cat, reinforcing the need for vigilance against this recurrent malady.
Dr. Phipps cautioned, “We hope by enhancing awareness, we can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.” Adding, “Ensuring plague remains on the radar helps people protect themselves, especially if residing in or near rural areas that harbor wild rodent populations.”
