Bubonic Plague 2012

Oregon man Paul Gaylord contracted a rare case of the bubonic plague, as known as the “Black Death” in 2012 when he was bit by a stray cat he had named Charlie. Paul was trying to help the cat, who appeared to be choking on a mouse.

Two days later, he awoke with a fever and the chills.

An average of seven cases of the bubonic plague still occur in the US every year.