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.