PLAGUE - USA: (CALIFORNIA) GROUND SQUIRREL

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International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sun 4 Jul 2010
Source: Los Angeles Times [edited]



Campground closed after ground squirrel tests positive for plague
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Los Angeles County public health and US Forest Service officials have
closed the Los Alamos Campground in the Angeles National Forest after
a California ground squirrel captured 2 weeks ago tested positive for
plague.

The camp, between Gorman and Pyramid Lake, was closed Saturday
afternoon [3 Jul 2010] and will remain closed for at least 10 days,
said Jonathan Fielding, the county's public health director. Squirrel
burrows in the area will be dusted for fleas, and further testing
will be conducted before the campground is reopened.

[Byline: Ruben Vives]

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[The causative bacterium _Yersinia pestis_ is transmitted to people
through fleabite and direct contact with infected animals. Each
rodent species is host to one or more species of fleas which, when
infected, are carriers. These fleas generally do not infest other
animals unless their natural hosts are unavailable.

Domestic cats and dogs can also contract plague from infective fleas.
They may carry infected fleas home to their owners or, especially
cats, serve as a direct source of infection. There are many flea
treatments and repellents appropriate for pets and available. Some
products may be suitable for dogs but not cats or may be suitable for
an adult but not a younger animal. Be sure to consult your
veterinarian, as some products may be toxic to cats, kittens, and
puppies, even resulting in fatalities.

[see also:
Plague, canine - USA: (NM) 20100418.1259
Plague, cougar - USA (WY) 20100208.0429
2009
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Plague, feline - USA (CA) 20091205.4150
Plague, fatal - USA (05): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090921.3320
Plague, fatal - USA (04): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090920.3298
Plague, fatal - USA (03): (NM) recovery 20090715.2530
Plague, tularemia, prairie dogs - USA (SD) 20090712.2494
Plague, fatal - USA (02): (NM) risk, prevention 20090611.2153
Plague, fatal - USA: (NM) bubonic 20090605.2080
Plague, rabbit - USA (NM) 20090415.1435
2008
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Plague, human, prairie dogs - USA: (AZ) 20081012.3229
Plague, bubonic - USA: (CT ex WY) 20080827.2672
Plague, wildlife - USA: (CO) rabbit 20080727.2289
Plague, prairie dogs, ferrets - USA: (SD) (02) 20080722.2213
Plague, prairie dog, ferrets - USA: (SD) 20080708.2082
Plague, feline - USA (WY): mountain lion 20080522.1694
Plague, prairie dogs - USA: (CO), susp., RFI 20080506.1552
Plague, human, feline - USA (NM): early season cases 20080127.0340]
...................................sb/tg/mj/lm

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