South Lake Tahoe plague case tied to flea bite during camping

A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for bubonic plague, likely contracted from an infected flea while camping in the area. The patient is currently recovering at home and receiving medical care, and health officials say the case, while serious, is rare and manageable with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Officials emphasize that plague remains naturally present in parts of California, including higher elevations such as El Dorado County, and they are continuing to monitor rodent populations and the broader environment for any signs of activity.

Authorities say the exact circumstances of the exposure are under investigation, but they believe the infection followed a flea bite acquired during outdoor activity in the Lake Tahoe region. No additional details about the patient have been released. Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis and is most commonly transmitted to people through bites from infected fleas that have fed on rodents such as squirrels or chipmunks. Dogs and cats can also bring infected fleas into homes, increasing risk for households.

Health officials remind residents and visitors that plague is extremely rare in the United States, but it remains a public...