Health officials in California have confirmed that a resident has tested positive for plague, a disease most people associate with the distant past but one that still appears in rare cases today. The individual is believed to have contracted the illness after being bitten by an infected flea while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area, a well-known outdoor destination. The news has drawn both curiosity and concern, surprising many who assumed the plague was long gone.
One Lake Tahoe visitor summed up the public reaction by saying, “I think it’s crazy. I didn’t even know the plague was still something that was going on. How is the person doing?” Fortunately, health officials report that the patient is recovering at home and is expected to be fine. To help the public understand the risks, infectious disease experts have explained how the plague spreads, why it occasionally appears, and what people can do to protect themselves.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF, explained that plague is caused by bacteria transmitted through flea bites, especially fleas that live on rodents such as squirrels and chipmunks. While the word “plague” often brings to mind images of medieval pandemics, the reality is that bubonic plague still exists in today’s world, though it is extremely rare. The United States typically reports about seven cases per year, most often in western states like California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. This is a stark contrast to the Middle Ages, when poor sanitation, unchecked rat populations, and rampant flea infestations allowed the disease to devastate Europe, killing an estimated 25 million people.
Today, modern sanitation, public health systems, and antibiotics have made the plague manageable, though isolated cases continue to surface around the globe. Experts emphasize that while awareness is important, there is no need for panic. Dr. Melanie Ott, director of the Gladstone Institute and professor at UCSF, highlighted that outdoor activities like hiking and camping naturally bring people into areas where rodents live. Although the chances of exposure are slim, they do exist.
“Many of us love camping and hiking, often with our dogs. Rodents in the area rarely but sometimes do carry plague, and fleas from these rodents can bite us and spread the bacteria. That’s something we should be aware of—but we shouldn’t panic,” Ott explained. She reassured the public that antibiotics are highly effective when the disease is caught early. Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after exposure and often resemble the flu, with fever, headache, and muscle aches. What makes plague different is the swelling of lymph nodes, a classic sign of bubonic plague. Despite the frightening history behind the disease, modern treatment outcomes are overwhelmingly positive, with more than 90 percent of patients surviving when given prompt care.
Preventive measures are also simple and effective. Using insect repellent while outdoors, avoiding contact with dead animals, and keeping pets from interacting with wildlife are among the most important steps people can take. These practices significantly lower the already small risk of exposure.
This isn’t the first time plague has been found in the Lake Tahoe area. The last case was reported five years ago, and in 2015, two individuals contracted the disease after visiting Yosemite National Park. Such cases serve as reminders that while plague is rare, it still exists in certain environments—particularly rural and mountainous regions where rodents and fleas are part of the ecosystem.
The key difference today is that unlike the pandemics of centuries past, plague is no longer a death sentence. With modern medicine, it can be identified, treated, and cured quickly. Experts continue to encourage caution for those who spend time outdoors, but they also stress that the presence of plague does not pose the catastrophic threat it once did.
The South Lake Tahoe case highlights how diseases from history can still appear in modern America, but it also underscores the power of science and medicine to control them. With awareness, prevention, and timely treatment, plague is now a rare but manageable illness. For Californians and visitors alike, the message is clear: enjoy the outdoors, stay cautious, and remember that plague, while still present, is both treatable and preventable.
