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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

US : Update on Umatilla County Man with Plague

Via KEPRTV, excerpt :

" Umatilla County has a confirmed case of septicemic plague in an adult male county resident. Septicemic plague is a form of the disease that is not readily transmitted from one person to another. The county resident remains hospitalized and under treatment.

"Plague is spread to humans through a bite from an infected flea. Plague is serious but it is treatable with antibiotics if caught early," said Genni Lehnert-Beers, Public Health Administrator. “ Our local hospital staff responded quickly to identify the cause of illness and treat it appropriately. There was never any danger to the staff caring for the case, or his family.”

Plague is rare in Oregon. Only three human cases have been diagnosed since 1995 and they all recovered. Last year two human cases of plague were diagnosed in Lake County. This case was known to have spent time in Lake County a week prior to symptom onset."

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