Plague

Disease Information

Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by a bacterium named Yersinia pestis. People usually get plague from being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an infected animal.

Disease Reporting

What is required?

Health Care Providers and Clinical Laboratories

Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of plague to local health departments immediately, day or night, after identification. Call 971-673-1111 to reach the state health department doctor on call.

• Health care providers: Use our secure web-based confidential reporting system – OR – use the confidential PDF reporting form.
• See How and Where to Report for more information and local health department contacts.

For Local Health Departments

• Plague Investigative Guidelines (pdf)
• CDC Case Report Form (pdf)

Data

• Human Plague Cases in Oregon, 1934-2024 (pdf)
  

See Also

• CDC's Plague website
• CD Summary: Of Rodents, Fleas, Cats and Men: A Tale of Yersinia Pestis (pdf) - July 31, 2012; Vol 61, No. 16
• More information on other possible biological agents