A biologist at the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona died from infection with the bacteria that causes plague, Yersinia pestis.
A biologist, Eric York, at the Grand Canyon National Park was found dead in his home November 2, 2007. It is believed that he died from plague following exposure to wild animals. Plague is caused by the bacteria, Yersinia pestis.
Hhuman plague infection is rare in North America, despite the fact that plague has been endemic in the U.S. since 1900. Between 5 and 15 cases occur each year in the U.S., with the greatest numbers occurring in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Worldwide, most cases of plague occur in Africa with occasional outbreaks in Asia and South America.
Over the past 30 years, 48 cases plague have been reported in Arizona, 8 of which were fatal. In September a woman from Apache Country, Arizona contracted plague from a flea bite and was successfully treated with antibiotics. This was the first case of plague reported in Arizona since 2000.
Plague is most often spread to humans by fleas and through direct contact with infected animal tissues (e.g. skinning or handling game animals). Plague is found in rodent populations on every continent except Australia.
In rare cases plague can be spread from person-to-person or cat-to-person by airborne transmission through coughing or sneezing associated with plague pneumonia. The last time person-to-person transmission occurred in the U.S. was 1924-1925 during a plague epidemic in Los Angeles, California.
If untreated, plague has a mortality rate of 50-90%. If treated, plague has a mortality rate of approximately 14%.
Historically, plague was responsible for wiping out much of Europe during the 1300s (Black Death): approximately 25,000,000 people died during a 5-year period beginning in 1347.
Plague was intentionally spread to humans and domestic animals by Japan during the first and second world wars.
Sources:
Apache County Public Health Emergency Preparedness
