LOS ANGELES
\nOfficials in the US state of Oregon have said they are dealing with a rare human case of bubonic plague that was likely transmitted by a pet cat.
\nThe disease, which killed at least a third of Europe\u2019s population in the Middle Ages during a pandemic known as the \u201cBlack Death,\u201d is uncommon in developed countries and can now be treated, but remains potentially dangerous.
\nThe identity of the patient in Deschutes County has not been revealed, but officials said they were being treated, adding that the individual was most likely infected by their cat.
\n\u201cAll close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness,\u201d said Dr. Richard Fawcett, Deschutes County Health Officer in the announcement of the case last week.
\nAuthorities said plague symptoms in humans begin up to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea.
\nSymptoms may include fever, nausea, weakness, chills and muscle aches. If not diagnosed early, bubonic plague can progress to septicemic plague \u2014 an infection of the bloodstream \u2014 or pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs. Both are much more serious.
\n\u201cFortunately, this case was identified and treated in the earlier stages of the disease, posing little risk to the community,\u201d a statement said.
\n\u201cNo additional cases of plague have emerged during the communicable disease investigation.\u201d
\nThe Oregon Health Authority said plague is rare in the area, with the last case reported in 2015.
\nThe Black Death swept through Europe in the 14th Century, killing as many as 50 million people in one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOS ANGELES Officials in the US state of Oregon have said they are dealing with a rare human case of bubonic plague that was likely transmitted by a pet cat. The disease, which killed at least a third of Europe\u2019s population in the Middle Ages during a pandemic known as the \u201cBlack Death,\u201d is uncommon […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":387225,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-387195","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n