A case of an archaic sounding disease is currently being investigated by California health officials. A child contracted the human plague after camping in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest.
According to a press release from the California Department of Public Health, this is the first human case of the infectious bacterial disease since 2006. But it’s still rather common in its non-human carriers: rodents and fleas. In 2014, non-human plague activity was detected in seven California counties, including in Modoc, Plumas and Sierra.
CDPH says the disease is usually found in the foothills and mountains. In those areas, extra caution should be taken to avoid exposure to rodents, including squirrels and chipmunks, as well as bites from fleas.