A South Lake Tahoe resident tested positive for bubonic plague after camping in the area. Officials say it was likely a flea bite. “Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” said Kyle Fliflet, Acting Director of Public Health. That’s the tone. Casual. Like it’s just another mosquito season. https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/Countywide-Press-Releases/Resident-Tests-Positive-for-Plague
The omission is grotesque. No warnings posted. No alerts issued. No mention of the 41 plague-positive rodents tracked from 2021 to 2024. No public map. No flea index. Just a press release after the fact. “From 2021 through 2024, El Dorado County identified 41 rodents showing evidence of plague exposure. In 2025 so far, four more plague-positive rodents have been found in the Tahoe Basin.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/california-resident-contracts-plague-likely-from-infected-flea-bite-during-lake-tahoe-camping-trip-officials/ar-AA1KZkfU
Between 1346 and 1353, Yersinia pestis killed an estimated 25 to 50 million people—up to 60% of Europe’s population. It took 150 years for the continent to recover. That same pathogen just surfaced in El Dorado County.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Death
Locals didn’t even know plague was still a thing. “I think it’s crazy. I didn’t even know the plague was still something that was going on,” said one Lake Tahoe visitor. Another added, “This was very news to me and that’s scary.” https://kyma.com/news/california-news/2025/08/20/california-resident-tests-positive-for-bubonic-plague/
California pushes climate alerts, sanctuary zones, and electric mandates but can’t post a flea warning. “We should have something letting people know that, ‘Hey, be careful. Wear something which should I mean, makes them aware,’” said a local camper. https://kyma.com/news/california-news/2025/08/20/california-resident-tests-positive-for-bubonic-plague/
