LOYALTON, Calif.. (KOLO) -A home cat in jap Sierra County has been contaminated with the plague, California well being officers stated Friday.
The plague, attributable to Yersinia pestis, is extra widespread in rodents within the Sierra and has not been present in a cat since 2011.
Health officers urge folks to watch out when coping with rodents and to stay away from rodents and their fleas. They additionally urge folks to maintain pets on leashes outdoor and to maintain them away from rodent-infested areas.
“There are no recent cases of human plague in Sierra County,” stated Dr. Celia Sutton-Pado, well being officer for Sierra County. “Plague has been identified rarely in humans and domestic cats in this region over the past decades, the most recent human cases in Sierra County were in 1977 and 1980. It is vital that the disease be diagnosed and treated in its early stages to reduce risk of developing pneumonic plague which is far more serious and contagious.”
Symptoms of plague often present up in people two to eight days after publicity to an contaminated animal or flea. Symptoms embody sudden onset of fever, nausea, weak spot, chills, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes.
Health officers say contact a doctor instantly in the event you turn out to be unwell inside eight days of being in a plague-affected space or have had direct contact with sick or lifeless rodents. Plague will be successfully handled with antibiotics if detected early.
The commonest animals to hold plague within the Sierra are squirrels and chipmunks.
“Plague is lethal to many rodents,” the Sierra County Health Department stated in a press release. “Therefore, an increase in sick or dead rodents is a possible warning that plague may be in the area.”
Tips to forestall the spreading of the plague:
- Avoid all contact with rodents and their fleas. Never contact sick, injured, or lifeless rodents.
- Keep pets on a leash when outdoor and defend pets with flea management merchandise. Do not permit pets to strategy sick or lifeless rodents or discover rodent burrows.
- Pet cats are extremely prone to plague, and contaminated cats can transmit the bacterium to people. Keep cats indoors and discourage their searching of rodents. Consult a veterinarian instantly in case your cat turns into sick after being involved with rodents.
- Residents residing in areas the place plague is thought to happen ought to preserve rodents out of houses and take away meals, woodpiles, and different attractants for rodents round houses and outbuildings.
- Do not camp, sleep, or relaxation close to animal burrows or areas the place lifeless rodents are noticed.
- Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks, or different wild rodents in campgrounds and picnic areas. Store meals and refuse in rodent-proof containers.
- Wear lengthy pants tucked into boot tops to cut back your publicity to fleas. Apply insect repellent to socks and trouser cuffs to assist cut back publicity to fleas.
More data:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/plague.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/plague/prevention/index.html
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