A northern Arizona resident died from the pneumonic plague, local health officials said.
The person arrived at the Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department on Friday and died there the same day, Northern Arizona Healthcare said in a statement. They are the first to die from the plague since 2007.
The hospital is investigating the case with the Coconino County Health and Human Services Department and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
“NAH would like to remind anyone who suspects they are ill with a contagious disease to contact their health care provider. If their illness is severe, they should go to the Emergency Department and immediately ask for a mask to help prevent the spread of disease while they access timely and important care,” the hospital said.
More information, such as the person’s identity, was not released.
The most common forms of plague are bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic. Pneumonic plague develops in the lungs, and septicemic plague develops in the entire body. Pneumonic plague is contracted by inhaling infectious droplets from a person or animal with pneumonic plague.
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The bubonic plague, known for killing millions in Europe in the Middle Ages, is now rare, but several cases are reported in remote areas each year.
Human symptoms of plague can appear up to eight days after exposure and can include fever, chills, headache, weakness, and muscle pain. If caught early, plague is treatable through antibiotics.