Health officials confirmed this week that a person has tested positive for plague, likely after being bitten by an infected flea while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area. The individual is recovering at home and receiving medical care.
Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is most commonly spread by fleas that have fed on infected rodents such as squirrels and chipmunks. Dogs and cats can also carry plague-infected fleas into homes or campsites.
While human cases remain extremely rare, officials warn that the illness can be serious if untreated. Early symptoms include fever, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes—typically appearing within two weeks of exposure—but antibiotics are highly effective when treatment begins quickly.
California health officials actively monitor rodent populations for plague. Between 2021 and 2024, 41 rodents tested positive for exposure in El Dorado County, and four more have already been identified in the Tahoe Basin this year.
The last human case in the region was reported in 2020, also tied to South Lake Tahoe. Two additional cases occurred in Yosemite National Park in 2015.
For RVers and campers headed to the mountains, officials recommend practical precautions:
• Don’t touch squirrels, chipmunks, or other rodents—especially if they appear sick or dead.
• Keep pets leashed and away from rodent burrows.
• Avoid setting up camp near areas where dead rodents are found.
• Use insect repellent and wear long pants tucked into boots to minimize flea exposure.
“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, especially at higher elevations,” said Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County’s acting public health director. “It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the U.S. sees an average of seven human plague cases each year, mostly in rural areas across western states.
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Thank you for the news and precautionary advice, RV Travel! Have a great weekend and safe travels!
When camping in dry locations, you should watch out for hantavirus. Don’t pet the wildlife is good advice anywhere, and not just in CA. Some sort of active rodent control in your RV is also recommended. We can argue the pluses and minuses of each system or technique, but some prevention is better than none. I like steel wool and black silicone in as many holes as I can find, but realize roadants are persistent. I back that up with ultrasonic annoyance and enclosed mouse traps. Finally, there are the camp cats to hopefully convince rodents that someone else’s RV is a better home than mine.
The singular usage of the word “Plague” confused me so I had to look up bacterium Yersinia pestis to get more information.
Plague is “The Plague” also known as The Black Plague, Bubonic Plague or Black Death that killed over 50 million people between 1346 and 1353 in Europe.
I had never heard it simply called, “Plague” and thought it a typo like calling COVID, “Pandemic”. Good job RVTravel, ya taught me something (again)!
I also thought of The Black Plague and thought that it had been eradicated. I now know it still exists but if treated early with antibiotics the recovery rate is high. Thanks for helping me learn something new today.
Plague is everywhere on the West Coast. Human infections have been reported since the early 90’s. I remember when the tents in Yosemite were closed for almost a year due to the plague. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome which they probably encountered from airborne rodent guano in their canyon home.
When traveling in the West Coast it’s important to keep your RV rodent-free and your pets flea protected. Keep a bandana handy to cover your and nose and mouth when visiting windy desert or drought areas. Do not approach, feed, or attract mammals – especially rodents – to your campsite.