Latest News About Plague

Here are the latest publicly reported updates on plague from reputable sources:

• United States: There have been occasional human cases of plague in the westernU.S. in recent years, including reports in Oregon (first human case in eight years in 2024) and later cases in New Mexico and California in 2025, often linked to flea bites from wildlife or exposure during camping. Health authorities emphasize that plague is treatable with antibiotics when caught early, and the risk to the general public is low.[1][2][5]

• Global context: Past and ongoing outbreaks have occurred in Madagascar and other regions, driven by rodent/flea reservoirs, with varying public health responses and WHO involvement in those settings. These outbreaks underscore that plague remains a re-emerging zoonotic disease in certain areas, though human cases outside endemic regions are rare.[3][9]

• Public health guidance: For anyone camping or traveling in plague-endemic areas, avoid rodent contact, use flea prevention measures on clothing and pets, and seek medical care if flu-like symptoms with swollen lymph nodes, fever, or body aches develop after potential flea exposure. Antibiotics are highly effective when started promptly.[4][1]

Illustration: In recent U.S. reports, a camping-related exposure (fleas from wildlife or domestic animals) has been a common thread for confirmed human cases, though community transmission remains unlikely with appropriate treatment and preventive measures.[2][1]

If you’d like, I can narrow this to a specific region (e.g., New Mexico, California, Oregon) and provide a concise timeline of confirmed cases and official health advisories. I can also monitor for any new updates and summarize them with citations.