Latest news with #Flagstaff
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Patient dies from the ‘Black Death' plague less than 24 hours after symptoms first emerged
Unlike the more common bubonic type, pneumonic plague infects the lungs and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets PLAGUE ALERT Patient dies from the 'Black Death' plague less than 24 hours after symptoms first emerged Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PERSON has died from plague just 24-hours after they showed up at hospital with symptoms, health officals have said. The victim was rushed to Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona, US, showing severe symptoms, and died the same day, an email seen by local media suggests. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 An unidentified person has died from the plague in the US An autopsy later confirmed the presence of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes plague. Officials said the individual had pneumonic plague, the rarest and most dangerous form of the disease. Unlike the more common bubonic type, pneumonic plague infects the lungs and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets. Without urgent treatment, it can kill within just 24 hours, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns. No further details about the patient have been released. It is the first confirmed plague death in Coconino County, in northern Arizona, since 2007, when a case was linked to contact with a dead animal carrying the infection. The Coconino County government said the risk to the public of exposure remains low. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased," Patrice Horstman from the county's Board of Supervisors Chair, said in a statement. "We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. "Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released." The Black Death The plague is infamously responsible for the 14th-century Black Death that wiped out half of Europe. It remains on both the WHO and UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) priority pathogen lists due to its potential to cause a pandemic. Though now rare and treatable with antibiotics, plague can still be deadly. Pneumonic cases in particular are fatal in up to 90 per cent of patients if left untreated. There are several forms of plague. Bubonic plague, the most common form, is usually spread through the bite of infected fleas. 2 The disease can cause tissue to turn black and die Credit: Wikipedia The disease can be transmitted to humans either by flea bites or through direct contact with infected animals, including pet dogs and cats. The main symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, usually in the neck, groin, thighs, or armpits. These swollen nodes, called buboes, can cause surrounding tissue to turn black and die, a symptom believed to have inspired the name "Black Death." Septicemic plague occurs when the infection spreads to the bloodstream. It can develop on its own or as a complication of bubonic plague, causing symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding into the skin and organs. Pneumonic plague, the most severe form, infects the lungs and can spread rapidly between humans through airborne droplets. It often starts as bubonic or septicemic plague that has spread to the lungs if left untreated. Symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and sometimes coughing up blood. Pneumonic plague requires immediate medical attention. Last week, officials from the Coconino County Health Department reported several prairie dog deaths northeast of Flagstaff, which can be a sign of the disease. However, health officials have since confirmed that the recent human plague death is not connected to the prairie dog die-off. Risk to Brits is 'very low' The WHO estimates between 1,000 and 2,000 cases occur globally each year. On average, seven human plague cases are reported in the US each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, plague is no longer found in the UK, and the risk of imported cases is considered 'very low,' according to government guidance. However, Covid jab scientists are developing a Black Death vaccine over fears the disease could re-emerge and kill millions. The team behind the Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine said they had made progress on an injection that could prevent bubonic plague from developing The last significant British outbreak occurred in Suffolk in 1918, though a few isolated cases have been suspected since. Recent infections have been reported in countries including the US, Peru, China, Bolivia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Russia.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague, the first deadly case in area in nearly 20 years
An Arizona resident died of pneumonic plague, becoming the first person to succumb to the disease in the area in nearly 20 years, according to officials. The victim, who was not identified, lived in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, local officials said. The last recorded death in Coconino County was in 2007. Only about seven people are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and most cases are concentrated in the western states. Us Measles Cases Hit Highest Level In More Than 30 Years, Cdc Data Shows In the U.S., it's most likely to be found in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and western Nevada, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease is most commonly found in Africa. Read On The Fox News App The Bubonic Plague Influenced Evolution Of The Human Immune System, New Study Suggests Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the disease. Although the plague killed millions of Europeans during the Black Death of the 14th century, it is now easily treated with antibiotics. Pneumonic plague causes severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease, affecting the lymph nodes. Septicemic plague is the least common form of the disease and affects the bloodstream. The plague is usually transmitted through flea bites from wild rodents or contact with an infected animal, and it can even spread person-to-person through the air. The Arizona Department of Health Services did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague, the first deadly case in area in nearly 20 years
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona Resident Dies of Plague After Being Rushed to Emergency Room
One person has died of the plague in Northern Arizona, health officials confirmed July 11 The person was treated at a local emergency room and died the same day, per NBC News Coconino County Health and Human Services said the risk of human transmission is "very low"One person has died of the bacteria that causes the plague in Northern Arizona, near Flagstaff, officials confirmed. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) said in a July 11 statement that a county resident was confirmed to have died from pneumonic plague, As CCHHS said, it's 'a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium.' 'Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased,' Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman said in the statement. 'We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released.' The patient arrived at Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department and died the same day, per a report by NBC News. CCHHS did say the death was not related to recent reports of prairie dogs dying in the Townsend Winona area, which some officials had linked to the plague, according to a report in AZ Central. The plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium and is transmitted to people by rodent fleas, or by handling an infected animal, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says. It manifests first as the bubonic plague, with symptoms that include fever, headache, chills, weakness and swollen, painful lymph nodes. The disease, if untreated, may progress into septicemic plague, which causes abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding into the skin. Pneumonic plague occurs when the disease progresses past septicemic or bubonic. It's the 'most serious form of the disease,' the CDC says, and the only type that can be spread from person to person. It's marked by 'rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery mucous.' The CDC notes that 'plague is a very serious illness but treatable with commonly available antibiotics.' CCHHS cautioned residents to avoid contact with wild animals, especially rodents, and to avoid fleas by using an insect repellant '20-30 percent DEET and tuck pant cuffs into your socks to help prevent flea bites.' The agency urged residents to be see veterinary care for pets, and to be especially mindful of cats, who who are 'highly susceptible to plague.' CCHHS said "the risk of human-to-human transmission is very low." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
CNN
12-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, health officials said Friday. Plague is rare to humans, with on average about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., most of them in the western states, according to federal health officials. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, local officials said. Further details including the identify of the victim were not released. Plague is a bacterial infection known for killing tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it's easily treated with antibiotics. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs. Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread. The bacteria is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that can spread it between rodents, pets and humans. People can also get plague through touching infected bodily fluids. Health experts recommend taking extra care when handling dead or sick animals. Most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, health officials said Friday. Plague is rare to humans, with on average about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., most of them in the western states, according to federal health officials. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, local officials said. Further details including the identify of the victim were not released. Plague is a bacterial infection known for killing tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it's easily treated with antibiotics. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs. Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread. The bacteria is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that can spread it between rodents, pets and humans. People can also get plague through touching infected bodily fluids. Health experts recommend taking extra care when handling dead or sick animals. Most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
