Plague

A case in Oregon is a rarity in the United States. It is not expected to spread. But this ancient and deadly disease remains a threat around the world.

A highly contagious disease was claiming lives, with no end in sight. Some members of the public, including a few members of the medical community were skeptical of a new vaccine. And the gap between the have’s and the have-nots grew wider. The year was… no, not 2020. In fact, it was 1932.

In the past, we’ve brought you stories of the plague in cats, dogs and rodents -- mainly ground squirrels. But this year, for the first time in decades,…

Earlier this year, we reported that two Elmore County cats had died after an outbreak of plague in ground squirrels. Now the Centers for Disease Control…

A second cat in Elmore County has likely died of plague. This cat lived outside the plague area boundary drawn by health officials.This is the second cat…

For the second year in a row, Idaho health officials say preliminary tests on dead ground squirrels south of Boise have come back positive for plague.The…

Health officials say a third area in southwestern Idaho has rodents that are likely infected with plague.Laurie Boston with the Southwest District Health…

A dog in Ada County has tested positive for plague. It’s the first case – human or canine – of the bacterial disease since officials reported an outbreak…

Idaho health officials say ground squirrels south of Boise have tested positive for plague. They say humans and pets should avoid the area.The Idaho…