Santa Fe County rodent tests positive for plague, health alert issued

A dead rodent found on a Santa Fe County property tested positive for plague, marking the county’s first confirmed wild animal case of 2026. The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed the case on July 2. The animal had been turned in for testing.

The Santa Fe County rodent fits a wider pattern already seen across the state. Earlier in 2026, three Santa Fe County dogs and one Bernalillo County dog were diagnosed with plague, bringing New Mexico’s total to five confirmed animal cases this year.

The disease spreads primarily through fleas that feed on infected rodents. New Mexico health officials describe plague as a bacterial zoonotic illness that can also spread through direct contact with infected animals, including pets. In the western United States, native rodents, especially ground squirrels, are the main amplifying hosts. The New Mexico Department of Health says plague has appeared in three major pandemics over the last 15 centuries.

People are more likely to come into contact with plague through flea bites or by handling sick or dead animals than through any rare worst-case scenario. New Mexico also had its first human plague case of 2026 in June, and a Santa Fe County woman died from the disease in that case.

The immediate prevention steps are straightforward for anyone with pets, livestock, or rural property. Avoid dead rodents, rabbits, and their nests or burrows. Keep woodpiles and brush away from living areas and campsites, where rodents and fleas can gather. Protect pets with safe flea control, and use insect repellent on skin and permethrin on clothing when working or spending time outdoors.