1st documented case of plague in a mule deer found in Idaho, confirmed by WSU pathologists.
Washington State University (WSU) pathologists have confirmed the first documented case of plague in a mule deer found blind and emaciated in Idaho. The bacterium Yersinia pestis, responsible for the disease, was detected in the deer's eye. Plague is naturally present in the western U.S., primarily affecting rodents. The case highlights the need for caution around abnormal wildlife and reporting such sightings to authorities, as human exposure can be severe without treatment.
September 18, 2024
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