IT WAS THE PLAGUE THAT KILLED A WOMAN IN SANTA FE COUNTY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS TESTS CONFIRMED IT OVER THE WEEKEND. THE DEPARTMENT’S DR. JOAN BAUMBACH TELLS 770 KKOB IT WAS THE FIRST CASE OF THE YEAR HERE…AND THE FIRST FATALITY IN TWO YEARS.
SHE SAYS MORE CASES OF PLAGUE ARE CONFIRMED IN NEW MEXICO AND OTHER SOUTHWESTERN STATES THAN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
DR. BAUMBACH SAYS PLAGUE IS USUALLY TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS THROUGH THE BITES OF INFECTED FLEAS…BUT IT’S STILL NOT KNOWN IF THAT’S HOW THE LATEST VICTIM CONTRACTED THE ILLNESS.
