MONDAY, July 14, 2025 (HealthDay News) — An Arizona resident has died from pneumonic plague, a rare but serious illness, health officials confirmed. The death happened in Coconino County in Northern Arizona, which includes Flagstaff. Officials gave no information about the person who died, The Associated Press reported.

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.

Arizona reports its first death from the pneumonic plague since 2007, with health officials emphasizing the disease's rarity and treatability with antibiotics.