CASPER, Wyo. — A confirmed case of the plague has been present in an Albany County cat and has prompted the Wyoming Department of Health, or WDH, to launch prevention reminders.
The Laramie-area cat is an indoor-outdoor pet and is thought to hunt rodents. It is being handled and no human sicknesses have been related to the present scenario, in response to a press launch.
The final human case of pneumonic plague reported by WDH was in Fremont County in September 2021, when a person was uncovered to sick pet out of doors cats.
“Plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly for pets and people if not treated as soon as possible with antibiotics,” mentioned Dr. Emily Curren, state public well being veterinarian with WDH. “The disease can be passed to humans from ill animals and by fleas coming from infected animals. We are letting people know of the potential threat in the cat’s home area as well as offering a reminder about plague to people across the state.”
“While the disease is rare in humans, plague occurs naturally in the western United States in areas where rodents and their fleas become infected,” Curren mentioned. “It is safe to assume a risk for plague exists all around our state.”
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, throughout 2011-20 there was a median of six human plague instances annually within the U.S.
Recommended precautions, as suggested by the WDH, to assist stop plague an infection embody:
- Use repellent if publicity to fleas is feasible throughout actions similar to tenting, climbing or working outside. Products containing DEET will be utilized to the pores and skin in addition to clothes.
- Keep fleas off indoor and out of doors pets by making use of flea management merchandise. Animals that roam freely outside usually tend to come into contact with plague-infected animals or fleas.
- Avoid pointless publicity to rodents, together with avoiding areas with unexplained rodent die-offs and rodent carcasses.
- If pets change into sick, search look after them from a veterinarian as quickly as doable.
- Do not permit dogs or cats that roam free to share beds with folks.
- Reduce rodent habitats across the home, office and leisure areas by eradicating brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood and doable rodent meals provides.
- Wear gloves and a masks if dealing with doubtlessly contaminated or deceased animals to forestall contact between your pores and skin and the plague micro organism and to forestall inhaling the plague micro organism.
Plague signs in pets can embody enlarged lymph glands; swelling within the neck, face or across the ears; fever; chills; lack of vitality; coughing; vomiting; diarrhea and dehydration.
Plague signs in folks can embody fever, swollen and tender lymph glands, excessive exhaustion, headache, chills, coughing, problem respiratory, belly ache, vomiting and diarrhea. People who’re unwell ought to search skilled medical consideration.
More details about plague is accessible from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at
