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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency Services, Oct. 31 ... OR-7 goes off the radar ... Parking permits hobble Sky Park project ... Emergency Services, Oct. 31 ... OR-7 goes off the radar ... Parking permits hobble Sky Park project ... Oregon public health officials: Eastern Oregon teen girl has bubonic plague Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Oct. 29, 2015 at 6:27 PM By The Associated Press Posted Oct. 29, 2015 at 6:27 PM » Social News PORTLAND — A teen girl from eastern Oregon has contracted the bubonic plague, health officials said. The Crook County girl is believed to have acquired the disease from a flea bite during a hunting trip near Heppner in Morrow County, officials said. The trip started on Oct. 16, she fell ill five days later and was hospitalized three days afterward. The girl is recovering at a hospital intensive care unit. Her condition isn't known. State and federal epidemiologists are working with local health officials to investigate the illness. No other people are believed to have been infected, officials said. Bubonic plague was prevalent in medieval times, but it is rare today. In recent decades an average of 7 human plague cases has been reported nationwide each year in the U.S., according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eight human cases have been diagnosed in Oregon since 1995. No deaths have been reported. In 2012, an Oregon man lost his fingers and toes to the plague. He had contracted the disease from his cat after trying to remove a mouse from the cat's throat. The infectious bacterial disease is carried by squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents and their fleas. When an infected rodent becomes sick and dies, its fleas can carry the infection to other animals or humans through bites. The plague is treatable with antibiotics if caught early, but can be fatal if left untreated. Bubonic plague is the most common form and is characterized by high fever, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. A plague vaccine is not available at this time. Officials recommend people avoid any contact with wild rodents, especially sick or dead ones, and should never feed squirrels or chipmunks. People should also keep their pets away from wild rodents to avoid infection. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Oct. 29, 2015 at 6:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501