A Georgian is recovering from a potential case of the plague after visiting two national parks.
The patient, who has not been identified, is currently being treated at a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Health officials say the patient may have become infected while hiking in California.
Plague is an infectious bacterial disease that is carried by squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents and their fleas. When an infected rodent becomes sick and dies, fleas can carry the infection to other warm-blooded animals including humans.
Symptoms of plague usually appear two to six days after a bite and may include high fever, chills, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin.
"Antibiotics are effective in treating plague, but without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death," said Patrick O'Neal, M.D., director of health protection for the Georgia Department of Public Health. "People who develop these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention and notify their health care provider that they have been camping or out in the wilderness and have been exposed to rodents and fleas."
The Georgia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the possible case.
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