A ten-year-old boy from La Plata County, Colorado died of complications from a plague infection, with Colorado state health officials announcing animals and insects in six different counties have been identified with plague, CNN reports.
A bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected rodent fleas or handling infected animals, the plague caused tens of millions of deaths in Europe during the Middle Ages. Now, it’s more easily treated ailment thanks to antibiotics. The US sees a handful of human plague cases each year.
In Colorado, we expect to have fleas test positive for plague during the summer months,” Jennifer House, Deputy State Epidemiologist and Public Health Veterinarian for CDPHE, said in a statement. “Awareness and precautions can help prevent the disease in people. While it’s rare for people to contract plague, we want to make sure everyone knows the symptoms. The disease is treatable if caught early.”