Plague confirmed in Fremont County

For the first time in several years, Plague has been confirmed in Fremont County.

A post on the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page says that fleas that were collected by the Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment tested positive for the disease.

The post says that the fleas were collected last week along Moore Drive on the south side of Florence.

Fremont County Department of Public Health & Environment has these suggestions to keep yourself safe:
• As plague is transmitted by fleas, protect pets with flea powder and keep pets on a leash and out of wild rodent habitats.
• Stay out of areas that rodents inhabit such as prairie dog colonies. If you enter areas with rodents, wear insect repellent and tuck pant cuffs into socks to prevent flea bites.
• Keep outside trash cans tightly covered.
• Do not touch or pick up sick, dead or dying animals.
• Prevent rodent infestations around your house: clear brush, rock piles, cluttered firewood and other materials away from outside walls, restrict rodent access to food items such as dog or cat food.
• Be watchful for any unusual rodent die-off in your area.
• Do not attempt to catch, feed, handle or exterminate prairie dogs, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits or other wild animals.

Symptoms of plague infection in humans include a high fever, chills, headache, extreme fatigue and tender or swollen lymph glands.