Health officials said a resident of northern Arizona died from pneumonic plague.
The unidentified patient was from Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff.
The patient arrived at the Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department and passed away the same day.
Local officials said it’s the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007.
Arizona resident dies of confirmed plague infection. What to know https://t.co/XWuNTCoGs9
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 12, 2025
NBC News provided further details:
The hospital noted that “appropriate initial management” and “attempts to provide life-saving resuscitation” was performed, but “the patient did not recover.”
Rapid diagnostic testing led to a presumptive diagnosis of Yersinia pestis.
Coconino County Health and Human Services said testing results confirmed Friday that the patient died from pneumonic plague, described as “a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium.”
This marked the first recorded death from pneumonic plague in the county since 2007, when an individual had an interaction with a dead animal infected with the disease, according to county officials.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman said in a statement, according to CBS News.
“We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released,” the statement added.
The most common forms of plague are bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic.
Pneumonic plague develops when bacteria spreads to the lungs.
One person in Flagstaff died from the plague, but the Arizona Public Health Association says there's no need to worry. Doctors say it's very treatable and there are things you can do to protect yourself. https://t.co/qHF4zUXldu
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) July 12, 2025
CBS News noted:
Plague is a bacterial infection known as “The Black Death” that killed tens of millions in 14th century Europe. During an eight-year period, from 1346 to 1353, it killed up to 60% of the population of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to estimates.
ADVERTISEMENTToday, it’s easily treated with antibiotics.
The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats.
There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs.
Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread.
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