Colorado on alert after dead cat tests positive for the plague - weeks after Arizona man died from disease
Health warning issued after pet cat dies from plague
- A domestic cat in Evergreen, Colorado, tested positive for the plague and died, marking the first confirmed animal case in Jefferson County since 2023.
- This incident follows the recent death of an Arizona man from the same disease, highlighting the rare but serious nature of the infection.
- The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is typically spread through flea bites or direct contact with infected animals.
- While uncommon in the US, with an average of seven human cases annually, it can be life-threatening if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
- Health officials advise precautions such as avoiding flea bites and contact with sick animals to reduce the risk of transmission to both people and pets.