Bernalillo County, NM — A 77-year-old man from Bernalillo County has been diagnosed with plague, marking the second human case reported in New Mexico this year, according to the state Department of Health.
The man was hospitalized and has since been discharged. No deaths from plague have been reported in the state in 2025.
Plague is a bacterial infection typically spread by fleas that live on wild rodents. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, including pets. Health officials say symptoms in humans include sudden fever, chills, headache, and painful swelling of lymph nodes.
New Mexico has the highest rate of human plague cases in the U.S., with 254 confirmed cases since 1970. That’s more than Colorado (69) and Arizona (64) combined.
On average, seven human plague cases are reported annually across the United States, with about half occurring in New Mexico.
Most U.S. cases are concentrated in the rural Southwest, particularly northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado. The disease remains rare but endemic in these regions.
Physicians are urged to report suspected cases to the Department of Health promptly.
