Human Plague Case Confirmed in El Dorado County, California
A human case of plague has been confirmed in El Dorado County, California. However, health officials stress such cases are extremely rare. The individual, who is reportedly recovering, was exposed to the plague bacterium in the Tahoe Basin region.
Symptoms and Treatment
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statement, noting that symptoms of the plague typically appear within two weeks of exposure and include fever, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. If caught early, the disease is treatable with antibiotics.
Despite the seriousness of the disease, human cases remain uncommon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are only about seven human cases per year in the U.S., with most of these cases occurring in the western United States.
Rodent Surveillance and Plague Activity
Health officials routinely monitor rodent populations for signs of plague activity, and the latest case follows a pattern of detection in El Dorado County. Specifically, from 2021 to 2024, 41 rodents in the area showed evidence of exposure to the plague bacterium. So far in 2025, four rodents have tested positive for the plague, all within the Tahoe Basin.
Past Plague Cases in El Dorado County
This is not the first time the region has seen a case of plague. The last confirmed human case in El Dorado County occurred in 2020, with a similar exposure linked to the South Lake Tahoe area. Prior to that, there were two human cases in 2015, believed to have been contracted in Yosemite National Park. All individuals involved in previous cases received treatment and fully recovered.
Health Precautions and Ongoing Monitoring
In response to the current case, county officials are emphasizing that the general risk to the public remains low. However, residents and visitors to the Tahoe Basin are advised to take precautions, particularly regarding rodent control and avoiding contact with wildlife.
In 2021, the U.S. Forest Service closed several popular sites at Lake Tahoe after discovering that chipmunks in the area had tested positive for plague. The agency conducted eradication treatments to manage the rodent population and mitigate the spread of the disease.
Plague Cases Across the U.S.
While rare, plague cases have also been reported in other western states, including Colorado in 2024. Colorado health officials confirmed a human case of plague last year, highlighting that the disease continues to pose a risk, albeit a minor one, in certain regions.
More…
- https://mynews4.com/news/local/tahoe-resident-tests-positive-for-plague-officials-urge-outdoor-caution
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/21/california-plague-case-south-lake-tahoe
- https://www.foxnews.com/health/california-resident-contracts-plague-likely-infected-flea-bite-lake-tahoe-camping-trip-officialsÂ
