A man in New Mexico has died from complications of the bubonic plague, a disease that was responsible for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. The man, from Lincoln County, died this week, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. The state health officials are now working to assess the ongoing risk of the disease.

First Human Death from Bubonic Plague in New Mexico

This week, a man from Lincoln County, New Mexico, succumbed to complications from the bubonic plague, an ancient bacterial disease that is transmitted through fleas. The bubonic plague, also known as the “Black Death,” caused a devastating pandemic in Europe during the 14th century, resulting in millions of deaths. Although rare, cases of bubonic plague still occur today, and the death of this man marks the first human fatality from the disease in New Mexico since 2020.

“The state’s first case of the bacterial disease in four years has left it looking for a cause and if there’s an ongoing community risk,” stated the New Mexico Department of Health.

The bubonic plague is primarily transmitted through fleas that infest rodents, such as rats. Humans can become infected if they are bitten by an infected flea or come into direct contact with bodily fluids or tissues from infected animals. Symptoms of bubonic plague include swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, and weakness. If left untreated, the disease can spread to the lungs, causing pneumonic plague, which is highly contagious and can be fatal.

It is still unclear how the man in New Mexico contracted the disease, and health officials are conducting investigations to determine the source of the infection. The Department of Health is also monitoring the situation to assess if there is an ongoing community risk. Public health measures, such as educating the public about preventive measures and controlling rodent populations, may be implemented to mitigate the spread of the disease.

Summary:

To summarize, a man in New Mexico has died from complications of the bubonic plague, becoming the first human fatality from the disease in the state since 2020. The bubonic plague, known as the “Black Death,” caused a devastating pandemic in Europe during the Middle Ages. The disease is primarily transmitted through fleas that infest rodents, and humans can become infected through flea bites or contact with infected animals. The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating the source of the infection and assessing if there is an ongoing community risk.

• A man in New Mexico dies from complications of the bubonic plague
• The bubonic plague is an ancient bacterial disease known as the “Black Death”
• The disease is primarily transmitted through fleas that infest rodents
• Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, and weakness
• The Department of Health is investigating the source of the infection
• Public health measures may be implemented to mitigate the spread of the disease