Arizona Resident Dies from Plague, First Death Since 2007

A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, marking the first death from this form of plague in the U.S. since 2007. Plague is a rare bacterial infection primarily spread through fleas and contact with infected animals, but pneumonic plague is the most deadly and contagious form, affecting the lungs. The incident highlights the ongoing risk of plague in rural western states, though it remains a treatable disease with antibiotics.