Santa Fe County, New Mexico — Health officials in New Mexico are urging residents to remain vigilant after a wild rat tested positive for the plague, marking the first confirmed wild animal case in Santa Fe County this year.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), the infected rodent was discovered dead by a homeowner on private property and later submitted for laboratory testing, where it was confirmed to be carrying Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for causing the plague.
The latest finding follows several confirmed cases involving household pets earlier this year, raising renewed concerns about the disease’s presence in the state.
Positive Test Comes After Four Dogs Were Diagnosed
State health officials said the infected rat is the first confirmed wild animal in Santa Fe County to test positive for plague in 2026.
The case follows four confirmed plague infections in dogs, including three cases in Santa Fe County and one in Bernalillo County.
Officials say pets can become infected after being bitten by infected fleas or by hunting and eating infected rodents or other wildlife.
Although plague infections remain uncommon, experts say domestic animals can play an important role in alerting health officials that the bacteria is circulating in local wildlife populations.
Officials Remind Residents That Humans Can Also Become Infected
Health experts stressed that while this latest case involves an animal, humans can also contract the plague through infected flea bites or direct contact with infected animals.
“While this is an animal case of plague, it’s important to remember humans can get plague from flea bites or direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and even pets,” Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for NMDOH, said in a statement.
He also warned that household pets remain at risk if they come into contact with infected animals.
“Pets can be infected with plague if they eat an infected animal or are bitten by infected fleas,” Smelser added.
According to the health department, about half of all human plague cases reported in the United States each year occur in New Mexico, even though infections remain relatively rare nationwide.
Symptoms and Prevention Measures
Officials emphasized that the plague can become life-threatening if left untreated, but early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antibiotics are usually effective.
Symptoms in people may include high fever, chills, headaches, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
In pets, warning signs include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Pet owners are encouraged to seek veterinary care immediately if their animals become ill after possible exposure to rodents or fleas.
To reduce the risk of infection, the New Mexico Department of Health recommends keeping properties free of places where rodents may nest, including woodpiles, brush piles, junk, and abandoned vehicles.
Residents are also advised to keep pet food and water away from wildlife, avoid handling sick or dead rodents and rabbits, and ensure pets are protected with veterinarian-approved flea prevention products.
Previous Cases Highlight Ongoing Risk
Health officials continue to monitor plague activity across the region following several serious cases in recent years.
Last year, a man in Arizona and a domestic cat in Colorado died after contracting the bubonic plague. In 2025, a 43-year-old man from Valencia County, New Mexico, was hospitalized after becoming infected with the disease.
While modern medicine has made plague far less deadly than it once was, public health experts say awareness, early medical care, and preventive measures remain essential in areas where the bacteria naturally occurs.
What are your thoughts on this latest plague case? Do you think enough public awareness exists about diseases that can spread from wildlife to people and pets? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.