The Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro site has issued an update after a fatal case of plague was confirmed in New Mexico, United States. The warning comes as thousands of British tourists are in the country for the World Cup.
First Human Plague Case in New Mexico in 2026
A Santa Fe County woman has died from plague, marking the first human case in New Mexico in 2026, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). Health officials have reached out to close contacts of the deceased and are conducting an environmental assessment to determine ongoing risk and confirm that no other close contacts show symptoms consistent with plague.
Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for NMDOH, expressed condolences: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the woman who passed away due to plague. This tragedy emphasizes the need for heightened community awareness and for taking measures to prevent plague infections.”
How Plague Spreads
Plague is a bacterial disease carried by rodents and found throughout much of the western United States. It is generally transmitted to humans through bites of infected fleas from wild rodents or household pets. Direct contact with infected animals can also transmit the disease. People with plague in their lungs can spread it through coughing.
Symptoms in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness, along with painful swelling of lymph nodes in the groin, armpit, or neck areas. Physicians suspecting plague should promptly report to NMDOH. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate can be greatly reduced.
Prevention Recommendations
NMDOH recommends the following measures to prevent plague:
- Avoid sick or dead rodents and rabbits, as well as their nests and burrows.
- Clean up areas near your home where rodents live, such as woodpiles, brush piles, junk, and abandoned vehicles. Place hay, wood, and compost piles as far from your home as possible.
- Use insect repellent while hiking, camping, or working outdoors. Products containing DEET can be applied to skin and clothing, while permethrin can be applied to clothing.
- See a doctor about any unexplained illness related to sudden and severe fever.
New Mexico recorded three human plague cases in 2025 and one fatal case in 2024. In 2026, three dogs have been diagnosed with plague, following one cat and four dogs in 2025.
Travel Health Pro Advice
Travel Health Pro, backed by the Foreign Office, stated: “People can also catch it from bites or scratches from other infected animals such as cats, by working with plague bacteria or infected animal tissue in a laboratory, and by breathing in respiratory droplets from someone who has already been infected.” The site noted that plague is no longer a risk in the UK but is still reported worldwide in Africa, Asia, South America, and the USA. Most human cases annually are reported in Africa, with Madagascar considered the most affected country.
Types of Plague
- Bubonic: The most common form, spread by infected flea bites. Bacteria travel to a lymph node, causing inflammation and pain (a 'bubo').
- Pneumonic: The most severe type, rare but can result from advanced bubonic plague spreading to the lungs. If not diagnosed and treated early, it may be fatal.
Prevention Measures for Travellers
- Protect against flea bites: use DEET repellents and wear long trousers.
- Avoid contact with dead animals and infected tissues or materials.
- Avoid anyone with confirmed or suspected plague and areas where plague has recently been reported.
- No plague vaccine is currently available in the UK; in some countries, high-risk groups such as laboratory staff may be offered a vaccine.
