Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
July 11, 2025
A northern Arizona resident has died from pneumonic plague. Health officials say it’s the first recorded death in the area from pneumonic plague since 2007. Plague is rare in humans with about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., mostly in western states. It’s typically spread by infected fleas or contact with bodily fluids of sick animals. Pneumonic plague infects the lungs and is the deadliest and most contagious form. Plague killed millions of people in 14th century Europe but can easily be treated with antibiotics.
