LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Health officials in California confirmed Tuesday that a resident of South Lake Tahoe has tested positive for plague.
The person is recovering at home, and officials believe they may have been bitten by an infected flea while camping.
Experts say plague is rare but can be serious, adding that the disease is usually spread by fleas from wild rodents such as squirrels and chipmunks. Officials urge people to avoid contact with those rodents and to keep pets away from their burrows.
El Dorado County officials gave these tips to prevent plague:
- Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks or other wild rodents.
- Never touch sick, injured or dead rodents.
- Do not allow your pets to play with or pick up sick, injured or dead rodents.
- Do not camp, sleep or rest near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
- Look for and heed posted warning signs.
- Wear long pants tucked into boot tops and spray insect repellent containing DEET on socks and pant cuffs to reduce exposure to fleas.
- Leave pets home if possible; otherwise keep pets on a leash. Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or explore rodent burrows.
- Protect pets with flea control products.
- Pet cats are highly susceptible to plague and can pose a direct threat to humans. Keep cats away from rodents. Consult a veterinarian if your cat becomes sick after being in contact with rodents.
- If you get sick after being in an area where plague is known to occur, consult a physician and tell them you may have been exposed to plague.
The last reported human case of plague in El Dorado County was identified in 2020.
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