Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE — The bubonic plague is no stranger to San Miguel County, having been first discovered there in 1941. Yet, however common it may be, state and local health officials warn that residents must be aware of the symptoms associated with the disease, as well as preventions.

Chris Smith, Environmental Health Specialist for San Miguel County, explained that it’s not exactly something people need to panic about, rather than simply become knowledgeable about.

“People need to be aware, they need to be informed,” Smith said. “Just your awareness is your best defense.”

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In fact, although some may find it alarming that plague infected animals linger in our backyards, health experts insist the findings are far from rare.

“In those areas particularly, it’s not uncommon to find plague,” John Pape said. “We’ve had plague activity for decades, and the findings are just not that unusual.”

Pape is an epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

He explained that only one case of the plague was confirmed in the mass of prairie dogs recently eradicated from a private property in San Miguel County, rather than the larger number that was previously reported. However, when one prairie dog is infected, it is likely that the entire colony will be infected as well.

No human fatalities have been reported so far this year, Pape said. However, 19 counties have confirmed cases of the plague in animals this year, some of the closest including Delta, Ouray, La Plata, Hinsdale, Montezuma, and San Miguel.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Heath and Environment, the most recent human fatality from the bubonic plague was in 2004. Three human cases were reported that year.

The fatal plague case occurred in December, after a Pueblo County man failed to seek medical help when suffering from symptoms related to the illness. It was believed that the man contracted the disease while hunting near the Tarryall Reservoir in Park County.

Both Pape and Smith explained that the plague can be successfully treated with antibiotics as long as a person seeks medical attention at the first onset of symptoms.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website, the most efficient ways of avoiding the plague are to make sure the area surrounding your home is free of piles of lumber, broken cement, or other rodent attracters, as well as keep your pets up to date with flea protection such as Frontline. The plague can be transmitted by flea bites or direct contact with an infected animal.

Smith explained that pet cats are more prone to the plague, simply because they pry on rodents that could potentially be infected. Dogs can also be infected, which is why it’s important to make sure they are protected against fleas.

Human symptoms of the plague include fever, headache, weakness, rapidly developing pneumonia and lymph node pain and swelling.

Plague symptoms in pets include lack of appetite, fever, lethargy, a swollen neck, coughing and/or difficulty breathing. Humans should not handle a pet they believe to be infected unless using gloves and face protection, and are urged to immediately notify a veterinarian at the first sign of symptoms.

Other precautions humans can follow include using repellents when hiking, and taking special precautions when hunting and skinning animals.

According to Pape, since 1957, 57 human cases of the bubonic plague have been confirmed in Colorado. Of those cases, 10 have been fatal. Three cases were reported in 2005 and 2006, none of which were fatal.

Contact Marissa Brunner via e-mail at marissab@montrosepress.com

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