A California resident has tested positive for plague, a rare bacterial infection, according to local health officials. The individual, who lives in South Lake Tahoe, is recovering at home while receiving appropriate medical care.

Authorities believe the infection likely resulted from a flea bite during a recent camping trip. An investigation is ongoing to identify potential exposure sources, and officials emphasize that there is no immediate threat to the general public.

Plague cases are extremely uncommon in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting an average of about seven cases per year nationwide. The last reported case in the South Lake Tahoe area occurred in 2020.

The illness is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which occurs naturally among wildlife in parts of the western U.S. The most common form, bubonic plague, typically presents with fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. When diagnosed early, the condition is highly treatable with antibiotics.

Health officials are advising residents and visitors to take basic precautions, including avoiding contact with wild rodents, using insect repellent when outdoors, and ensuring pets are protected against fleas, which can carry the bacteria indoors.

This case follows a recent fatal pneumonic plague infection in Arizona, the state’s first such death since 2007. Officials stress that while such cases attract attention, they remain rare and manageable with modern medical care.