A squirrel found over the weekend in Colorado has tested positive for the bubonic plague.
The squirrel was found in the town of Morrison, according to the Jefferson County, Colorado, Public Health Department.
The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis and can be contracted by humans and household animals if proper precautions are not taken, the department said.
While China appears to have reduced coronavirus cases to near zero, health authorities announced last week a suspected bubonic plague case in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Credit: AJC
Authorities in the Bayannur district raised the plague warning Sunday, ordered residents not to hunt wild animals such as marmots and to send for treatment anyone with fever or showing other possible signs of infection.
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Plague can be fatal in up to 90% of people infected if not treated, primarily with several types of antibiotics.
Pneumonic plague can develop from bubonic plague and results in a severe lung infection, causing shortness of breath, headache and coughing.
Humans may be infected with plague through bites from infected fleas, by the cough from an infected animal or by direct contact, such as through a bite, with blood or tissues of infected animals.
Cats are highly susceptible to plague and may die if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Cats can contract plague from flea bites, a rodent scratch/bite or ingestion of a rodent.
Dogs are not as susceptible to plague; however, they may pick up and carry plague-infected rodent fleas.
Symptoms of plague may include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes, occurring within two to seven days after exposure. Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a physician.
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