Plague in the United States
The U.S. has had 2 human plague cases so far in 2026 (Arizona 1, New Mexico 1), according to provisional CDC counts. In 2025 there were 6 cases and 1 death.
CDC says the U.S. averages about five human cases a year, mostly in northern New Mexico and Arizona. The U.S. sent no plague data to WHO for 2019–2025, so these CDC numbers are not part of WHO's worldwide totals.
Cases by year, last ten years
2026 so far
Provisional| State | Cases |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 |
| New Mexico | 1 |
CDC weekly tables, through week 40. Weekly counts can change before CDC finalizes them.
Every year since 2000
| Year | Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 9 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 8 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 2 |
| 2006 | 17 | 2 |
| 2005 | 8 | 0 |
| 2004 | 3 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 | 6 | 0 |
Cases by state, 1970–2025
| State | Cases |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | 258 |
| Colorado | 70 |
| Arizona | 65 |
| California | 47 |
| Oregon | 20 |
| Utah | 16 |
| Texas | 9 |
| Nevada | 7 |
| Idaho | 4 |
| Wyoming | 4 |
| Oklahoma | 3 |
| Connecticut | 1 |
| Georgia | 1 |
| Illinois | 1 |
| Maryland | 1 |
| Michigan | 1 |
| Montana | 1 |
| Washington | 1 |
One further case has an unknown state.