Health officials in El Dorado County have confirmed a rare case of plague in a South Lake Tahoe resident, likely contracted from an infected flea while camping in the area.
The patient, who has not been publicly identified, is recovering at home and receiving medical care, according to a statement from county officials.
Investigators believe the illness was transmitted through a flea bite. Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, is most commonly spread by fleas that have fed on infected rodents such as squirrels and chipmunks. Pets can also bring plague-carrying fleas into households.
Symptoms of plague typically appear within two weeks of exposure and include fever, weakness, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease is treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed promptly.
Routine surveillance has revealed ongoing plague activity in the Tahoe Basin. Between 2021 and 2024, 41 rodents tested positive for exposure to plague bacteria. So far in 2025, four more cases have been confirmed in local rodents. Human infections, however, remain extremely rare. The most recent South Lake Tahoe case before this year was reported in 2020; two additional cases were linked to Yosemite National Park in 2015.
“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevations of El Dorado County,” said Kyle Fliflet, the county’s acting public health director. “Residents and visitors should take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, particularly in areas where wild rodents are present.”
Health officials recommend avoiding contact with squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents—especially those found dead or injured. Campers are advised not to set up near areas with rodent activity and to reduce flea exposure by wearing long pants tucked into boots and using insect repellent.
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