Squirrel in Colorado Tests Positive for Bubonic Plague

A squirrel was tested positive for bubonic plague in Colorado, the first case of the disease in the county this year.  

According to the statement of Jefferson County Public Health department, the squirrel tested positive in the town of Morrison. 

Bubonic plague or black plague is a severe bacterial infection that is transmitted by infected fleas. It is highly infectious, and the symptoms include fever, headaches, vomiting, and swelling of lymph nodes. As the disease advances, the inflamed lymph nodes become open sores filled with pus. AS the infection moves to the lungs, the disease becomes more virulent. The plague reduced the world's population by 100 million in the 14th century.

The infectious disease, according to the Jefferson County Health officials is caused by " the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and can be contracted by humans and household animals if proper precautions are not taken."

The plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics, provided that an intervention is given early. JCPH urges anyone who is experiencing the said symptoms to consult a physician the soonest.

The plague may be transmitted in three ways: 

Flea bites. An infected flea bites a host and transmits the bacteria. When infected rodents die, the infected flee searches for other hosts. Places where the rodents recently died are at higher risk of flea bite transmission. Pet dogs and cats may also carry infected fleas at home. 

Infectious cough droplets from the contaminated person can also cause pneumonic plague. 

Contact with a tissue of fluid infected with the plague. This would cover hunting, consuming, and handling tissue or blood of the infected animal.

Cats, according to the Jefferson County Public Health, are highly susceptible as they can easily get infected by eating infected rodents or get bitten by infected fleas. 

ON July 7, Chinese authorities confirmed a case of bubonic plague in Inner Mongolia, prompting local authorities in the town of Bayannur, where the case was recorded, to issue a  Level 3 citywide alert. Hunting and eating of animals that may be carriers of the plague are prohibited under the warning, and such a ban remains in effect until the end of the year. 

Two cases in China were reported to have contracted the plague this month. Authorities are still investigating how the first case contracted the infection, but the second case was said to have eaten a marmot hunted by a dog. An outbreak in Mongolia last year resulted in death after consuming the raw meat of a marmot.

The World Health Organization has marked the plague as a re-emerging disease. 

To protect residents and your pets from the plague, the Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) recommends the following precautions: 

• Avoid contact with wild animals by removing all sources of food, shelter, and access for wild animals around the home. 
• Refrain from feeding the wild animals
• Free your yard from litter and trash to reduce scavenging among wild animals 
• Avoid contact with sick or dead animals and rodents. 
• Exercise caution when handling sick pets and seek the help of veterinarians should the animal show signs of illness.
• Consult your veterinarian about flea and tick control for pets 
• Keep pets from roaming freely and preying on wild animals outside the home to minimize encounters with infected animals.
• For more information about bubonic plague and other animal-borne diseases in Jefferson County, visit  www.jeffco.us/2368.