A deadly case of pneumonic plague has claimed a life in Northern Arizona, with the victim dying at Flagstaff Medical Center on July 11- the region's first such death since 2007 . This shocking incident underlines the lethal potential of a disease that, while rare, progresses rapidly and can be fatal within two days without treatment ( ref1 ).

Pneumonic plague is caused by bacteria carried by species like rats and prairie dogs. Pneumonic and bubonic plague transmission and symptoms vary. Pneumonic plague killed a resident of northern Arizona, who died in the emergency room at Flagstaff Medical Center.