Teenage girl has bubonic plague, Oregon health officials say

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Health officials say a teen girl from eastern Oregon has contracted the bubonic plague.

Officials say the Crook County girl is believed to have acquired the disease from a flea bite during a hunting trip. The girl is recovering at a hospital intensive care unit. Her condition isn't known.

Bubonic plague was prevalent in medieval times but is rare today. An average seven cases are reported nationwide each year.

Eight human cases have been diagnosed in Oregon since 1995. No deaths have been reported.

In 2012, an Oregon man lost his fingers and toes to the plague. He had contracted the disease from his cat after trying to remove a mouse from the cat's throat.

Plague is carried by wild rodents and their fleas.