California resident contracts plague, likely from infected flea bite during Lake Tahoe camping trip: officials

California resident contracts plague, likely from infected flea bite during Lake Tahoe camping trip: officials

State health department confirms rare case as officials investigate camping exposure

Plague bacteria cause bubonic plague and are carried in the pathogen of rats. There are still many regions where the disease occurs. (istock)

A Lake Tahoe camper tested positive for the plague, likely from an infected flea bite. (iStock)

Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by the bites of fleas from rodents and other wild animals. (iStock)