In the year A New Mexico man has died from the outbreak, the state’s first death from the disease since 2020, the public health agency announced Friday.
The Lincoln County man, who has not been named, died after being hospitalized, the New Mexico Department of Health said in a statement. In the year From 2021, it was the first reported bacterial disease of rodent origin.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the Lincoln County man who was killed by plague,” state veterinarian Erin Phipps said.
The bacterial disease, which is normally transmitted by infected flea bites, can be transmitted to humans through the chain of animal interactions. Dogs and cats that roam outdoors can bring back infected fleas that feed on dead rodents.
The New Mexico Department of Health focused on action and prevention in the announcement, advising residents to avoid wild animal nests and protect pets from disease by using flea control products and avoiding activity or hunting.
“This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the threat posed by this ancient disease and underscores the need for proactive measures to raise public awareness and prevent the spread of the disease,” Phipps said.
David Morgan, the department’s public information officer, said New Mexico’s small and mostly rural population and patient privacy laws make it difficult to release details such as the person’s age, how the person became ill and where in Lincoln County they were admitted. The disease.
The department stated in the announcement that it will “conduct an environmental assessment in the community” to assess the risk.
US epidemic cases occur only in the West, with more than half of all reported cases from 1970-2020 occurring in New Mexico alone. As of 2011 According to the CDC, there are 1-17 reports per year across the US.