Boulder public health officials have reported two confirmed
cases of plague and are reminding Boulder County residents to protect
themselves against the disease this season.
A domestic cat living in the 2500 block of 6th Street and a
dead squirrel found at the intersection of 8th Street and Maxwell Avenue have tested
positive for plague, according to a Boulder County Public Health press release.
“We want people to understand what steps they should
take to protect themselves,
their family members and their pets,” BCPH
Environmental Health Division Manager Joe Malinowski said in the release. “Because plague is most commonly
transmitted by fleas, taking steps to avoid flea exposure will be most helpful
in preventing this disease.”
The infectious disease occurs naturally in Colorado and is
passed from fleas to wild rodents and other small mammals, according to the
release. Plague can also be spread to humans through a bite from an infected
flea.
Some steps BCPH recommends for Boulder county residents to
protect themselves include protecting pets from fleas with flea powder, either
staying out of areas that wild rodents inhabit or wearing insect repellant and
tucking pant cuffs into socks when in these areas, and avoiding contact with
rodents — especially sick or dead rodents.
Also, BCPH encourages pet owners to keep cats indoors and to
talk with veterinarians about how to best protect their pets from fleas.
Symptoms of plague include high fever, extreme fatigue and
painful swollen lymph nodes. If you or your pet
experiences these symptoms, contact a health care provider or vet immediately.
For more information visit http://www.BoulderCountyHealth.org.
