Prairie dog tests positive for plague in La Plata County – The Durango Herald

A prairie dog in the Hesperus-Breen area has tested positive for plague.
Fleas from the prairie dog’s colony have been collected and sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for further testing, according to a news release from San Juan Basin Public Health. There is no known human exposure to the prairie dog, its colony or any fleas in the area. Signs will be posted in the area where the positive prairie dog was collected.
SJBPH reminds residents that the risk of contracting plague increases during the summer when humans and animals are more often in close contact.
According to SJBPH, some ways to prevent contact with animal-borne illnesses include:
Plague is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis, which can be transmitted to humans by the bites of infected fleas or by contact with infected animals.
Plague is frequently detected in rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats, ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles and rabbits. SJBPH investigates prairie dog population die-offs for the presence of plague. If an active colony of prairie dogs suddenly disappears, report it to SJBPH.
To learn more about plague and its symptoms, visit https://www.cdc.gov/plague/symptoms/index.html.

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