A US man who contracted the bubonic plague likely caught it from his pet cat, local health authorities have confirmed. 

It’s the first case recorded in the county of Deschutes in Oregon since 2015. 

“All close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness,” said Dr. Richard Fawcett, Deschutes County health officer.   

The patient was very sick and draining abscess which showed a “fairly substantial” infection. 

Dr Fawcett said the patient has responded well to antibiotic treatment. 

The bubonic plague spreads to humans or animals through a bite from an infected flea or by contact with an animal sick with the disease.

The most common animals to carry plague in Central Oregon are squirrels and chipmunks, but mice and other rodents can also carry the disease. 

If not diagnosed early, bubonic plague can progress to septicemic plague (bloodstream infection) and/or pneumonic plague (lung infection).

“These forms of plague are more severe and difficult to treat,” a statement from Duschetes County read. 

“Fortunately, this case was identified and treated in the earlier stages of the disease, posing little risk to the community.”

No additional cases of plague have emerged during the communicable disease investigation.

Symptoms of plague usually begin in humans two to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea.

These symptoms may include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and/or visibly swollen lymph nodes called buboes.