How to keep yourself safe from plague after case identified in Pueblo County
State and local health departments are investigating the cause of a human plague case in Pueblo County, according to a news release from the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium naturally occurring in wild rodents. It can be transferred to humans through bites from infected fleas, contact with infected animal corpses, or inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected animal or human.
The plague case in Pueblo County was reported through preliminary test results. PDPHE Public Information Officer Trysten Garcia told the Chieftain on July 5 that state and local health departments are working on confirmatory tests while determining the cause.
"The state is continuing to communicate with that person and their family," Garcia said. "Hopefully those conversations and interviews will shed a little bit more light for us to be able to get info out."
Plague infection is commonly accompanied by symptoms like sudden chills, fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, nausea, swollen lymph nodes and vomiting. Those who develop plague symptoms should seek immediate care, according to PDPHE's release.
"Plague can be treated successfully with antibiotics, but an infected person must be treated promptly to avoid serious complications or death,” Alicia Solis, PDPHE program manager of the Office of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness, said in the release.
CDC tips on preventing spread of plague
Individuals can protect themselves, other members of their household and their pets from plague infection by taking precautions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
Those precautions include:
Eliminating potential rodent nesting spaces like brush, excess firewood, garbage and rock piles near garages, homes, recreation areas and sheds.
Avoiding contact with dead animals, wearing gloves if a dead or sick animal must be handled, and reporting the presence of such animals to health officials or law enforcement.
Not allowing pets to sleep in the bed and keeping pets away from rodent habitat.
Wearing DEET insect repellent and regularly treating pets for fleas.
Promptly taking sick pets to see a veterinarian and storing pet food in "rodent-proof containers"
Plague naturally occurs in semi-rural to rural areas of Western states like Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico, according to the CDC. Commonly infected animals include chipmunks, mice, prairie dogs, rabbits, squirrels, voles and wood rats.
More information can be found at pueblohealth.org.
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at [email protected]. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: A case of plague was recorded in Pueblo County. Here's what to know
