By Ethan Covey
A case of pneumonic plague, diagnosed in a Wyoming resident in 2021, highlights the difficulties associated with the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases during a respiratory disease pandemic, such as COVID-19.
The case, detailed in a CDC report, was initially suspected to be COVID-19, due to the patient’s symptoms of respiratory illness (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71[24]:806-807).
“This investigation highlights challenges healthcare professionals face in