California confirms first case of plague in 5 years - CBS News
Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by fleas that have acquired it from infected squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents.
www.cbsnews.comHere’s a quick update on the latest publicly reported bubonic plague news.
- There have been isolated reports in recent years of bubonic plague cases in the United States (notably in Oregon in 2024 and California in 2025) and other places, but sustained outbreaks are not the norm, and authorities typically frame these as rare, locally contained incidents.[3][6][9]
- In most cases, health officials attribute transmission to fleas or contact with infected animals (often domestic pets like cats or wild rodents), and emphasize early antibiotic treatment and monitoring of close contacts to prevent spread.[9][3]
- Global attention in 2024–2025 included discussions around potential outbreaks tied to travel or animal reservoirs, but major health organizations have consistently cautioned that the overall risk to the general public remains low with proper precautions.[2][6]
If you’d like, I can narrow to a specific region (e.g., UK, Europe, North America) and provide a concise, up-to-date snapshot with sources. I can also pull in a brief explainer on symptoms, transmission, and what to do if you’re concerned.
Citations:
- Details on U.S. cases and transmission factors:,.[3][9]
- Context on recent discussions and containment:,.[6][2]
- Historical note on California case and public health guidance:.[1]