"Oregon's Rare Human Plague Case Linked to Infected Pet Cat: What You Need to Know"

A rare case of human plague has been confirmed in Deschutes County, Oregon, with health officials suspecting the individual was infected by their pet cat. Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium found in rodents and their fleas, and can manifest as bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, weakness, and coughing, and the disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. To prevent exposure, it's important to keep pets free of fleas and reduce rodent habitats around the home.