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GROUND SQUIRRELS TEST POSITIVE FOR
PLAGUE
Chance of Human Exposure
Slight, But Precautions Should Be
Taken
County Vector Control officials announced
today that blood samples collected from two ground squirrels
at the Doane Valley Campground on Palomar Mountain have
tested positive for plague.
“We found plague in the same park at this
time last year. Campers should avoid contact with squirrels
and their fleas,” said Gary Erbeck, director of the
Department of Environmental Health. “Do not put your tents
near squirrel burrows, do not feed the squirrels and warn
your children not to play with the
squirrels.”
Plague is a bacterial disease of wild
rodents that can be transmitted to humans through the bite
of infected fleas. To date, there have been no locally
acquired human cases of plague reported in San Diego County.
Flea populations are monitored, and control measures are
taken at this campground, and others, to reduce the
potential for human exposure.
Plague warning signs are posted in all
areas where plague has been confirmed. Visitors, hikers and
campers in rural mountain areas should look for these signs
and always follow these
precautions to prevent contact with
fleas:
• Avoid contact with ground squirrels,
chipmunks and other wild animals.
• Do not feed, touch or handle wild
animals.
• Do not rest, camp or sleep near animal
burrows in the ground.
• Protect pets by keeping them on a leash,
use flea control, or best of all, leave pets at
home.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you
become ill within one week of visiting a known
plague
area. Symptoms include a sudden onset of
fever, chills and tender swollen lymph
nodes.
• Do not touch sick or dead animals;
please report them to County Vector
Control.
For more information about plague
surveillance, call the Vector Control at (858) 694-2888 or
visit www.SDVector.com.
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