Public health officials say a Crook County man in critical condition at St. Charles Bend is infected with the plague. They believe he was exposed from a sick outdoor cat. The cat named "Charlie" returned home after a couple days away very ill. In an attempt to save the cat, the man became infected. The cat has since died.
Plague is spread to humans or animals through a bite from an infected flea or by contact with an animal with the disease. Plague is very rare in Oregon. Only 3 human cases have been diagnosed statewide and there have been no human fatalities.