Rare pneumonic plague claims Arizonan’s life, the first local case since 2007

An Arizona resident has died of pneumonic plague, becoming the first person to succumb to the region’s disease for almost 20 years, according to officials.

The victim, who was not identified, lived in Coconino County, who included Flagstaff, said local officials.

The last death recorded in Coconino County took place in 2007. Only about seven people are diagnosed in the United States each year, and most of the cases are concentrated in Western states.

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An Arizona resident has died of pneumonic plague, becoming the first person to succumb to the region’s disease for almost 20 years, according to officials. (AP photo / David Zalubowski, file)

In the United States, it is very likely to end up in rural regions of the north of the New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The plague is generally transmitted by flea bites from wild rodents. (Vishal Bhatnagar / Nurphoto via Getty Images)

The disease is most often found in Africa.

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The pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the disease. Although the plague killed millions of Europeans during black death of the 14th century, it is now easily treated with antibiotics.

An engraving called “the plague victims of Rome”. Black death killed millions of people in Europe in the 14th century. (Ken Welsh / Design Pics / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Pneumonic plague causes severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease, affecting the lymph nodes. The septicemic plague is the least common form of the disease and affects blood circulation.

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The plague is generally transmitted by flea bite from wild rodents or contact with an infected animal, and it can even spread the person in the air.

The Arizona Department of Health Services did not immediately respond to the request for comments from Fox News Digital.