New Mexico Reports First Human Plague Death of 2026 as Animal Cases Rise Across Two Counties
Key Insights
A Santa Fe County woman has died from plague (search), marking the first human case and fatality in New Mexico in 2026, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (search).
Five animal plague (search) cases have been confirmed statewide this year, including three dogs in Santa Fe County, one dog in Bernalillo County, and a wild rodent.
Plague (search) is a bacterial disease transmitted through flea bites or direct contact with infected animals, with prompt antibiotic treatment greatly reducing mortality risk.
A Santa Fe County woman has died from plague (search), representing the first confirmed human case in New Mexico in 2026, the New Mexico Department of Health (search) (NMDOH) announced on June 11. The department has initiated contact tracing with close contacts of the deceased and will conduct an environmental assessment to determine ongoing risk and confirm no additional individuals exhibit symptoms consistent with plague.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the woman who passed away due to plague (search)," said Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for NMDOH. "This tragedy emphasizes the need for heightened community awareness and for taking measures to prevent plague infections."
Rising Animal Cases Across the State
The human fatality comes amid a growing number of animal plague (search) cases in New Mexico. On July 2, NMDOH confirmed that a rodent in Santa Fe County tested positive for plague — the first confirmed wild animal plague case in the county in 2026. The rodent was turned in by a person who found it dead on their property.
Earlier this year, three Santa Fe County dogs and one Bernalillo County dog were also diagnosed with plague (search), bringing the total to five animal plague cases statewide in 2026. In 2025, one cat and four dogs were confirmed to have plague. New Mexico recorded three human plague cases in 2025, and one fatal case in 2024.
Transmission and Clinical Presentation
Plague (search) is a bacterial disease carried by rodents and found throughout much of the western United States. It is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas from wild rodents or household pets. Transmission can also occur through direct contact with infected animals, and individuals with pneumonic plague can transmit the disease through coughing.
"While this is an animal case of plague (search), it's important to remember humans can get plague from flea bites or direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and even pets," said Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for NMDOH. "Pets can be infected with plague if they eat an infected animal or are bitten by infected fleas."
Symptoms of plague (search) in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness. In most cases, there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit, or neck area. In cats and dogs, symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and possible swelling in the lymph node under the jaw.
Treatment and Prevention
With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate in people and pets can be greatly reduced. Physicians or veterinarians who suspect plague (search) should promptly report to the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).
NMDOH recommends several preventive measures, including using veterinarian-approved flea control products on pets, cleaning up areas near homes where rodents could live such as woodpiles and brush piles, avoiding sick or dead rodents and rabbits and their nests and burrows, using insect repellent containing DEET while hiking or working outdoors, and seeking prompt medical attention for any unexplained illness involving sudden and severe fever.