- Passed from rodents to humans by fleas, or direct contact w/infected animals
- Humans spread via respiratory droplets
- Direct contact w/rodent feces, flea bites, contact w/infected animals (rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs, dogs/cats)--> skin infection--> then via blood to lungs (secondary pneumonia)
- Humans spread via respiratory droplets (person-to-person)--> primary pneumonia
- Rural Western US
- Rapid onset fever, chills, sepsis
- Cough, Sob, sputum--> pneumonia w/rapid progression to severe illness w/high mortality
- Incubation 1-4d for primary pneumonia
- Skin nodules, tender adenopathy
- Lungs: F, cough, focal lung findings
- Skin: erythema, edema, tender adenopathy (buboes)