An Arizona resident died of the pulmonary plague, the authorities confirmed on Friday, a first in the region for almost 20 years.
The man went to the hospital center on the same day, but died of his injuries despite resuscitation efforts, reports a statement from Northern Arizona Healthcare.
Tests confirmed that he was infected with Yersinia Pestisthe bacteria responsible for the pulmonary plague, which manifests itself as a severe pulmonary infection.
The cases of this disease in humans are rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States. On average, seven cases of human plague are reported each year in the United States according to the agency.
Humans are generally infected with the bite of an infected rodent chip or by manipulating an infected animal, according to the CDC. Symptoms include fever, headache and rapid pneumonia, and the disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics if treatment is administered quickly.
