State health officials are investigating a case of bubonic plague, which killed an elderly man in Utah earlier this month.
It is the first case of human plague since 2009 and the first death caused by the plague in 35 years, though there have been a dozen cases reported in seven states since April this year, according to the Utah Department of Health.
JoDee Baker, an epidemiologist for the health department, said the disease is found on wild rodents throughout rural parts of Utah every year and it is transmitted by fleas. Human transmission, however, is rare, she said.
Residents in rural Utah and people who travel there for camping and other activities should be aware of the potential for plague and protect themselves, the health department warns.
In addition to rodents, culprits include prairie dogs, ferrets, squirrels and rabbits.
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