Arizona Patient Dies from Plague in Emergency Room

A person in northern Arizona died from bubonic plague at Flagstaff Medical Center, marking a rare case in the U.S. The hospital is investigating the incident, which involved rapid diagnostic testing confirming Yersinia pestis. The disease, usually transmitted by infected fleas or handling infected animals, is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. Authorities are monitoring local wildlife and flea activity following a prairie dog die-off that may indicate plague presence.