Plague Confirmed in California: First Human Case in Years
Elena Martinez
Last weekA South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for the plague, marking the first human case in El Dorado County since 2020, health officials confirmed. The individual, who is currently recovering at home under medical care, likely contracted the bacterium via a flea bite encountered while camping in the Tahoe Basin.
What’s Behind the Case
The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is rare but naturally found in certain high-elevation areas of California—including El Dorado County. Fleas often pick up the bacteria from local wildlife like squirrels and chipmunks, and they can then pass it to humans or pets.
Officials say there has been consistent plague activity in the region over the past few years—41 rodents tested positive between 2021 and 2024, and four more so far in 2025.