More plague detected in Pueblo County after person dies from the disease

The Pueblo City-County Health Department says it has detected plague in fleas in a rural part of the county.

The fleas were found in southwestern Pueblo County at the site of a prairie dog die-off.

The news comes one day after the health department announced that a person had died of plague in the county. It says the victim was an adult, but no other details about that person have been released.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family,” said Sylvia Proud, public health director of the Pueblo City-County Health Department.

The health department and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are investigating.

The health department says the victim may have contracted the disease from fleas on a dead rodent or other animal. It says plague can spread through rodent populations in localized areas, often resulting in mass die-offs. During these outbreaks, hungry infected fleas that have lost their normal hosts seek other sources of blood, thus increasing the risk to humans and other animals frequenting the area.

A dead prairie dog tested positive for plague this year in an area of Turkey Creek near the western edge of the county. The health department said the person who died didn’t live in that area.

The health department wouldn’t say where the person lived, or any identifying information. Medical offficer Dr. Chris Nevin-Woods said she wants everyone in Pueblo County to know they’re at risk and take the necessary precautions.

“Residents are encouraged to call and report any unusual die-off of rabbits or prairie dogs to the Pueblo City-County Health Department at 583-4307 and stay away from the die-off area,” Proud said.

The health department says plague is transmitted from rodent to rodent by infected fleas, which can also pass the disease on to other animals or people.

The health department says people infected with plague usually show symptoms two to six days after coming in contact with plague. Symptoms include fever, chills, weakness, and swollen and painful lymph nodes. It says a few people get pneumonia as a first symptom of plague. The infection then spreads to other parts of the body.

If this disease is not treated right away, the health department says many people who get sick will not survive. It says plague can be treated with antibiotics when caught in time.

Cats can be infected from flea bites or by direct contact with infected rodents. Plague infected cats will generally have a history of roaming freely in rural or semi-rural areas and their owners often report that they are known predators.

Infected cats frequently exhibit swelling and sores around the mouth, head, and neck, and appear to be ill. Seek veterinary care for such animals. Since domestic cats and dogs can carry infected fleas into the home environment, it is also important to consult your veterinarian for information about flea control for your pets. While dogs rarely appear sick from plague, it is still important they are treated for fleas as they can still carry them into the home.

TIPS TO PREVENT PLAGUE

Avoid contact with all sick and dead rodents and rabbits. Look for the presence of blow flies or dead animal smell as evidence of animal die-offs. Prairie dog colonies that suddenly are not active may also be due to plague activity in the area. Report such die-offs to the Pueblo City-County Health Department at 583-4307.
While hiking, treat pants, socks, shoe tops, arms and legs with insect repellents.
If you hunt or trap rabbits or carnivorous wild animals, wear gloves and a respiratory mask while skinning or handling these animals. Fresh pelts may be treated with flea powder.
Keep your pets from roaming and hunting and talk to your veterinarian about using an appropriate flea control product.
Do not let pets sleep in the bed with you. This has been shown to increase your risk of getting plague.
Sick pets should be examined promptly by a veterinarian.
DO NOT feed or entice any rodent or rabbit species into your yard, back porch, or patio.Do not catch, play with, or attempt to hand feed wild rodents.
Eliminate rodent habitat, such as piles of lumber, broken cement, trash and weeds around your home, outbuildings and cabins.

In recent decades, an average of seven human plague casesis reported each year nationwide according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most human cases in the United States are scattered in rural areas and occur predominantly in two regions:

Southern Colorado, northern New Mexico, northern Arizona
California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada

More information about plague can be found here.