Colorado Cat’s Bubonic Plague Death Sparks Concern After Recent Arizona Fatality

A Colorado cat has died of bubonic plague, the state’s first confirmed case since 2023, weeks after an Arizona man died from the same disease. Health officials warn residents to avoid contact with sick or dead animals, protect pets from fleas, and seek prompt treatment for suspected infections.

Health officials in Colorado have confirmed the state’s first case of bubonic plague since 2023 after a domestic cat in Evergreen died from the disease. The incident comes just weeks after a man in Arizona succumbed to the same illness, raising fears of potential spread in the US.

The plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, is infamous for the Black Death pandemic in the 14th century, which killed an estimated 50 million people in Europe. While modern cases are rare, the disease can be deadly if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Officials believe the Arizona outbreak may be linked to a prairie dog die-off in the region, as fleas from infected rodents can transmit the plague to pets and humans.

Authorities warn that animals, including pets, may contract the disease through flea bites or direct contact with infected wildlife. In humans, symptoms include sudden high fever, headache, chills, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes. Pets can show similar signs such as fever, low energy, poor appetite, and swelling in lymph nodes.

Public health agencies are urging residents to avoid contact with sick, dead, or wild animals and to prevent pets from roaming freely outdoors. They stress that local veterinarians often play a key role in detecting plague cases early, serving as the first line of defense against wider transmission.

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Officials emphasize that while occasional animal cases are not uncommon in Colorado during warmer months, vigilance is essential to protect both human and animal health.