[B-bone]

Bubonic plaque still occurs occasionally in the US. I don't remember if there are areas in NM where it is found in the rodent population or not. I do know that there are occasional cases in So. Cal. usually from isolated ground squirrel populations.

Unless there are other cases, I would suspect this is an isolated instance. This is a disease that is usually associated with a rodent vector for introduction into the human population. Antibiotics are quite effective in preventing the disease in exposed individuals. For the individual patient who contracts the disease it can be a rough go however.

My prayers go out for this couple.

[manfromlamancha]

That wasn't plague it was the Hunta Virus you are thinking of; if this is the plague I'll be upset. However, after lastnight the retaliation will be very swift.