Apr 28, 2007 11:47 am US/Mountain
Animal Plague Deaths In Denver Prompt Warning
by Jodi Brooks
DENVER (CBS4) ―
The Colorado Health Department is investigating several cases of bubonic plague killing animals in the heart of Denver.
All the animals infected have been found near the Denver Zoo in City Park.
As of Friday night, five squirrels and one rabbit had died.
Health department officials say the risk to people is very low.
Plague, caused by a bacterium, is a disease transmitted by infected fleas. It spreads through fleas from rodent to rodent. Humans can catch the disease through scratches, bites and coughs.
On Thursday a squirrel was found dead in City Park. Workers tested the carcass and preliminary results were positive, according to reports.
It is unusual to find the plague striking animals in the middle of the city.
Bubonic plague becomes evident in humans three to eight days after the infection. Initial symptoms are chills, fever, diarrhea, headaches and the swelling of the infected lymph nodes (typically under the armpit, in the groin area or in the neck). The disease can be treated with antibiotics if recognized early.
"People are going to be infected mostly by flea bites, so it's a matter of not feeding rodents," Dr. John Pape with the health department said. "Stop feeding the squirrels. Keep them out of your areas. If you find a dead one, don't handle it directly with bare hands. Use a shovel to scoop it into a plastic bag and then report it to us."
Pape said there is only a small chance of people catching the plague, but it's not a pleasant disease, so there should be concern. Only about a dozen people each year are diagnosed with it.
Pape said approximately 100 rodents could die with the current outbreak.
Plague is usually found among rodent populations, including prairie dogs, in suburban and rural areas of Colorado every year.
Since plague was rediscovered in the Colorado in 1957, state health officials said there have been 58 human cases, with nine of those cases being fatal.
Additional Resources
- For more information about the plague and to report a dead animal, you can call the state's help hotline at (877) 462-2911.
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