A Lake Tahoe individual tested positive for plague, according to California health officials.
According to a press statement, El Dorado County officials have informed the California Department of Health that a South Lake Tahoe individual has plague.
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According to the El Dorado County announcement, the patient is getting medical attention and is recuperating at home. No other details on the individual or their condition were disclosed.
According to the announcement, officials think the sick person was camping near South Lake Tahoe when they were bitten by an infected flea. Authorities are looking into it.
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According to health officials, fleas that have already picked up the bacterium from squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents are the primary vectors via which the plague is spread. Additionally, fleas carrying the plague could enter households through dogs and cats.
Within two weeks of exposure, plague symptoms typically manifest as fever, nausea, weakness, and enlarged lymph nodes. If detected early, antibiotics can be used to treat it successfully.
According to the statement, California public health officials keep an eye on local rodents to see if they are carrying the plague. 41 rodents were discovered to have been exposed to the plague germs between 2021 and 2024. In 2025, four more rodents—all found in the Tahoe Basin—tested positive.
El Dorado County officials pointed out that the last recorded occurrence of plague in the South Lake Tahoe region was in 2020, highlighting how uncommon human cases are. Before that, in 2015, two individuals who had been exposed in Yosemite National Park tested positive for plague.
According to Kyle Fliflet, the Acting Director of Public Health for El Dorado County, “plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” “It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present.”
Officials advised people and pets to avoid touching squirrels, chipmunks, or other wild rodents, especially if they are dead or injured, in order to prevent catching the plague. To lessen flea exposure, people should wear long pants tucked into boots, avoid camping close to areas where dead rodents have been seen, and apply bug repellent.
