A person in California tested positive for the plague and local health officials suspect the patient contracted the disease from an infected flea while camping.

Health officials urged residents of the Golden State to “take precautions” when outdoors following the infection of a resident from South Lake Tahoe.

“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County’s acting director of public health, said in a statement.

“It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present,” said Fliflet.

The plague is caused by a type of bacteria typically carried by rodent species. It wa

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