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Abstract:
On August 26, 1992, a 31-year-old male resident of Tucson, Arizona, died of an illness subsequently diagnosed as primary pneumonic plague. This is the 10th case of plague reported in the United States in 1992, the first pneumonic plague case this year, and the first plague fatality reported since 1987 (CDC, unpublished data). This report summarizes the investigation of this case by county, state, and federal public health officials in Arizona and Colorado.
Insights
A fatal case of primary pneumonic plague occurred in Arizona in 1992, marking the first pneumonic plague and first death from plague in the US since 1987. Public health officials investigated this rare human plague infection.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Plague is a serious bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis.
- Human plague cases are rare in the United States, with most occurring in the western states.
Observation:
- In 1992, a fatal case of primary pneumonic plague was diagnosed in a 31-year-old male in Tucson, Arizona.
- This represented the 10th reported plague case in the US in 1992, the first pneumonic form that year, and the first plague fatality since 1987.
Findings:
- The investigation involved county, state, and federal public health officials in Arizona and Colorado.
- The specific source and transmission route of this pneumonic plague case were investigated.
Implications:
- This case highlights the continued risk of Yersinia pestis infection in the US.
- It underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and public health response for rare infectious diseases.
- Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for preventing future outbreaks.