During a recent visit to Yosemite National Park in California a child visitor was infected by the plague. The last case of the plague in California was in 2006. So far in 2015 two people have died from the disease, both cases occurring in Colorado.
Commonly people will associate the plague with the Middle Ages, however according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year brings an average of seven reported cases of the plague. Additionally most of the cases of the plague are found to occur in rural areas in the southwestern United States.
The plague is carried and spread by rodents, such as rats, and the fleas that feed on infected rodents. If a flea is infected with the plague and it bites a human the flea can pass the plague on to the human. If a human comes in contact with a plague infected rodent, the plague can be spread directly via a bite or scratch. It is also important to be cautious of infected household pets that could have potentially been infected by a rodent or flea with the plague disease.
If you find any signs of rats or other rodents at your California home be sure to contact a rodent control expert, also the same can be said about fleas, contact a California pest control expert and they will help alleviate any stress about the plague.