‘Most serious’ kind of plague kills Arizona resident, health officials say
An Arizona resident has died from the “most serious” form of the plague, health officials said.
The person tested positive for pneumonic plague July 11 in Coconino County, the Health and Human Services Department said in a news release.
Pneumonic plague is a “severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium,” health officials said.
It’s the first reported death related to this form of the plague in Coconino County since 2007, officials said.
That year, the person was infected after coming into contact with a dead animal with the disease, officials said.
Health officials said it’s rare for humans to get the plague as there are about seven cases in the U.S. every year.
Because of this, the risk of exposure for the public is low, officials said.
What to know about pneumonic plague
People are most commonly infected with three types of the plague: pneumonic, bubonic and septicemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Someone can get pneumonic plague when the bacteria spreads to the lungs while a person is infected with bubonic or septicemic plague, the federal agency said
It can also be transmitted when a person inhales the droplets from a sick person or animal.
“Pneumonic plague is the most serious form of the disease and is the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person,” the agency said.
There are several signs someone may be infected with the bacteria, including experiencing fever, headache, weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and watery or bloody mucus, the CDC said.
The incubation for the infection can be as short as one day.
Someone infected with the bubonic plauge means they were bitten by an infected animal or flea, the CDC said.
Along with fever, headache and chills, someone with the bubonic plague may get swollen painful lymph nodes called buboes.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM with the headline "‘Most serious’ kind of plague kills Arizona resident, health officials say."
