The New Mexico Department of Health on Monday confirmed two more human cases of plague. The recent cases involve a 52-year-old woman and a 62-year-old woman. The first case this year was reported in early June in a 63-year-old man. All three patients, who live in Santa Fe County, were hospitalized but there have been no deaths. State public health veterinarian Paul Ettestad said plague can be present in fleas that infest wild rodents in Santa Fe County, including within
the city limits of Santa Fe and in other locations around New Mexico. “Pets that are allowed to roam and hunt can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, putting you and your children at risk,” he said. Health workers are conducted environmental investigations around the homes of the three patients to look for ongoing risk and to ensure the safety of the immediate family members and neighbors. READ MORE
