Officials confirm human case of plague in Colorado

A case of plague has been confirmed in a person in Pueblo County, Colorado. The case was flagged from preliminary test results, and the potential source of the infection is still under investigation. Plague is an infectious disease caused by bacterium, transmitted by fleas. It is best known for an outbreak that killed millions of Europeans during the Middle Ages. Plague is transmitted to humans through bites from infected fleas, contact with infected animals, or inhaling droplets from an infected person or animal. Symptoms of plague include sudden fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and swollen lymph nodes. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is necessary to avoid serious complications or death. Precautions should be taken to avoid infection, such as eliminating places where wild rodents can exist and treating pets for fleas.