[CholeraJoe]

Relax everyone! Plague is endemic among the rodent population in S. California. The fleas that carry it sometimes bite humans.

[bioprof]

Thanks to those of you posting cogent responses here. The western part of the country ( yes - that DOES include California ) has about a dozen or so cases of bubonic plague every yesr - no biggie.

By the way, that HOUSE episode last night scientifically stank to high heaven. Usually they're pretty good and dig up innovative stuff & mostly get it right.....but last night was horrible science!!!!