Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) confirmed the county’s first case of the plague since 2023 in a domestic cat Wednesday.

A domestic cat from Evergreen — near Cub Creek Park — recently died from the plague, an illness caused by the bacteria called Yersinia pestis, marking the first case in the county this year, according to a news release from JCPH.

While the plague can be life-threatening, it can be easily treated with prompt treatments of antibiotics, according to JCPH.

It can spread to both people and pets through flea bites or direct contact with infected animals, but is rare in humans. 

Symptoms of plague in people may include sudden high fever, chills, headache, nausea and swollen lymph nodes. Pets infected with plague may show signs such as fever, low energy, loss of appetite or swollen lymph nodes.

The plague is rare in the United States but it’s most commonly found in the western part of the country, including Colorado.

“It’s not uncommon to see a few animal cases of plague in the warmer months in Colorado,” Jim Rada, Jefferson County environmental health director, said in the release. “Like with this case, sometimes our local veterinarians are the first to see plague when our pets get sick. In many ways, they are a first line of defense both in helping keep our pets safe from fleas that could make our pets sick and in treating them if they are exposed to plague.”

To help reduce the risk of the plague in animals and humans, JCPH recommends you:

• Stay away from wild animals
• Never touch sick or dead animals
• Keep pets on a leash and away from wildlife
• Don’t let pets roam freely outside
• Talk to your vet about flea prevention for pets
• Watch for signs of illness in pets and seek veterinary care right away if needed
• If you feel sick, see a healthcare provider

Anyone who believes they man have possible exposure or symptoms should seek medical attention right away. Residents who believe their pets may have been exposed should contact their veterinarian immediately.