Plague found in squirrel in third metro Denver county
Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News
Published May 7, 2007 at midnight
Plague now has hit squirrels in three metro Denver counties, prompting health officials again to remind people to protect themselves and their pets.
Plague is common in prairie dogs, but the last time there was an outbreak among squirrels in metro Denver was 1968.
The latest case of plague confirmed in a dead squirrel was found near Cherry Creek Reservoir in Arapahoe County, which brings the total to 15. Thirteen squirrels dead with the plague were found near the Zoo in Denver, and one was found in Jefferson County.
Plague doesn’t seem to affect dogs much, but it can be fatal in cats and can make humans quite sick.
When a prairie dog or squirrel dies of the plague, the fleas that carry the disease look for another host. If they can’t find one, they die off, but if they can land in the fur of a dog or cat, or the hair of a human, their mischief continues.
Simple precautions to prevent exposure include never feeding squirrels and other wild animals, avoiding all contact with rodents and treating pets with flea powder or shampoo. People also should keep pets on a leash and out of wild rodent habitats, said Dr. Richard Vogt, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department, which serves Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties.
Also, wear long pants tucked into socks when hiking or in wild rodent areas, use insect repellent with DEET, and trap mice around the house.
Plague-infected cats can become ill with a high fever or an open sore. Owners should call a veterinarian promptly if they see the symptoms.
Plague in humans is easily treated with antibiotics, the earlier the better.
Symptoms usually appear two to six days after being bitten by an infected flea. Symptoms include swollen and tender lymph nodes, fever, chills and extreme exhaustion.
Anyone who finds a dead squirrel should call the statewide InfoLine at 1-877-462-2911 to report the location and see if it needs to be saved for testing. Using gloves or a shovel, place the dead animal in a plastic bag.
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