Colorado Plague Case Chronology
The Colorado plague case refers to the discovery of a human case of bubonic plague in Larimer County, Colorado, in July 2022. This marked the first human plague case in the county in over a century.
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The timeline of events leading up to and including the discovery of the case is as follows:
Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis
In early July 2022, a 65-year-old man from Larimer County began experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches. He sought medical attention and was initially diagnosed with a respiratory infection.
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Plague Confirmation
As the man’s symptoms worsened, he was admitted to the hospital. Further testing revealed that he had contracted bubonic plague. The diagnosis was confirmed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on July 13, 2022.
Contact Tracing and Investigation, Colorado plague case
Following the confirmation of the plague case, the CDPHE initiated a comprehensive contact tracing and investigation. This involved identifying individuals who had come into close contact with the infected man and assessing their risk of exposure.
Public Health Response
The CDPHE implemented a range of public health measures in response to the plague case, including:
- Providing antibiotics to close contacts of the infected man
- Conducting flea control measures in the area where the man lived
- Educating the public about the plague and its prevention
Recovery and Outcome
The infected man received treatment with antibiotics and made a full recovery. No additional cases of plague were reported in Larimer County.
Plague Transmission and Prevention
The plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans from infected animals or their fleas. The disease can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, and can even be fatal if left untreated.
There are three main ways that the plague can be transmitted to humans:
- Through the bite of an infected flea: This is the most common way that the plague is transmitted to humans. Fleas become infected when they feed on an infected animal, such as a rodent or a rabbit. When the flea bites a human, it can transmit the bacteria to the person’s bloodstream.
- Through contact with an infected animal: The plague can also be transmitted to humans through contact with an infected animal, such as a rodent or a rabbit. This can happen if the person is bitten or scratched by the animal, or if they come into contact with the animal’s blood or other bodily fluids.
- Through inhalation of infected respiratory droplets: The plague can also be transmitted to humans through inhalation of infected respiratory droplets. This can happen if a person comes into close contact with an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.
There are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of the plague:
- Avoid contact with infected animals: The best way to prevent the plague is to avoid contact with infected animals, such as rodents and rabbits. This means avoiding areas where these animals are known to live, and not touching or handling them if you do come into contact with them.
- Use insect repellent: Insect repellent can help to prevent fleas from biting you. Be sure to use an insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
- Wear long pants and sleeves: When you are in areas where fleas are known to live, wear long pants and sleeves to help protect your skin from bites.
- Keep your home clean: Fleas can live in your home, so it is important to keep your home clean to prevent them from becoming a problem. Vacuum your home regularly, and be sure to clean up any pet waste.
- Get vaccinated: There is a vaccine available to prevent the plague. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but it can help to reduce your risk of getting the disease.
If you think you may have been exposed to the plague, it is important to see a doctor right away. The plague can be treated with antibiotics, but early treatment is important to prevent serious complications.
Symptoms of the Plague
The symptoms of the plague can vary depending on the type of plague you have. The most common type of plague, bubonic plague, causes symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes (buboes)
Less common types of plague, such as pneumonic plague and septicemic plague, can cause more severe symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Skin lesions
- Organ failure
If you think you may have been exposed to the plague, it is important to see a doctor right away. Early treatment is important to prevent serious complications.
Public Health Response
The public health response to the Colorado plague case was swift and effective. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) was notified of the case on August 2, 2022, and immediately launched an investigation. The investigation team interviewed the patient and their contacts, and collected environmental samples from the patient’s home and the surrounding area.
The CDPHE also worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and implement a containment plan. The plan included measures to identify and treat contacts of the patient, to prevent the spread of the plague to other people, and to educate the public about the plague and how to prevent it.
The public health response was successful in containing the outbreak. No additional cases of the plague were reported in Colorado, and the patient recovered from their illness. The response also helped to raise awareness of the plague and how to prevent it.
Lessons Learned
The Colorado plague case provides several lessons that can be learned for future public health responses to outbreaks of infectious diseases. First, it is important to have a rapid and coordinated response to an outbreak. Second, it is important to work with other agencies, such as the CDC, to develop and implement a containment plan. Third, it is important to educate the public about the disease and how to prevent it.
