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Preventing Plague

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Transmission of plague to humans occurs when infected fleas from ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and other wild rodents bite a human. In addition, cats and dogs can also get plague or carry the infected fleas home to their owners. People can also become infected with plague directly from their cats.

The best method of prevention is to reduce the likelihood of being bitten by infected fleas. When possible, avoid areas that wild rodents inhabit. If you enter these areas, use an appropriate insect repellent, wear long pants, and tuck your pant cuffs into your socks to prevent flea bites.

Protect pets with flea powder or other flea repellant approved for animals. Contain pets inside and when hiking or walking, keep them on a leash and out of wild rodent habitats. Dogs are usually resistant to plague, but cats oftentimes will develop illness. If your pets become sick with a fever, lethargy, and refuse to eat, a veterinarian should see them immediately.

Because plague activity is often associated with increased rodent populations, you should prevent rodent infestations around your house: clear plants and materials away from outside walls where rodents can harbor and reduce access to food items. It may also be effective to treat known rodent sites around your home with a flea powder or other flea repellant approved for animals.

1. AVOID FLEAS! The best protection for pets, especially cats, is to keep them indoors. Additional protection can be provided by using flea powder and keeping them out of wild rodent habitats.
2. STAY OUT of areas that wild rodents inhabit. If you enter areas with wild rodents, wear insect repellent and tuck pants cuffs into socks to prevent flea bites.
3. AVOID all contact with wild rodents, including squirrels; do not feed or handle them.
4. NEVER TOUCH sick or dead animals with your bare hands. If an animal must be moved, use a long-handled shovel to place it in a garbage bag, and place the bag in an outdoor garbage can. More on dead animal disposal.
5. PREVENT rodent infestations around your house: clear plants and materials away from outside walls, reduce access to food items, and set traps.
6. TREAT known rodent sites around your home with flea powder or a suitable insecticide.
7. SEE A PHYSICIAN if you become ill with a high fever and/or a swollen lymph node. Plague is a treatable illness.
8. SEE A VETERINARIAN if your pet becomes ill with a high fever and/or an abscess (open sore). Pets with plague can transmit the illness to humans.

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