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CONTACT: Chana Goussetis,
Health Educator, BCPH
Office: 303-413-7562
BCPH Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Divisions have been
investigating a black squirrel die-off in the 400 block of Fifth Avenue in
Lyons. The first dead black squirrel was observed on Wednesday, May 18. Since
that time, several additional black squirrels have died, and BCPH received
positive test results for one carcass yesterday (May 25).
The carcass tested positive for Bubonic Plague. Bubonic plague is endemic
throughout the Western United States and is the most common form of plague. This
is the first plague-associated die-off in Boulder County in several years and
the first this season.
This form of plague typically occurs in wild rodent populations such as
squirrels, rats, and prairie dogs, but can also be spread to household pets –
especially cats. Humans can also be infected; Colorado averages two cases of
human infection per year.
Infection typically occurs after a bite from an infected flea, although it can
be spread through contact with body fluids and/or tissues of infected animals.
Symptoms usually occur two to six days after being bitten by an infected flea or
coming in contact with an infected animal, and include: swollen and tender lymph
nodes, fever, and extreme exhaustion.
The best method of prevention from plague is to reduce the likelihood of being
bitten by infected fleas, follow these simple precautions:
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AVOID FLEAS! Protect pets with flea powder, and keep
pets on a leash and out of wild rodent habitats.
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STAY OUT of areas that wild rodents inhabit. If you
enter areas containing wild rodents, wear insect repellent and tuck pants
cuffs into socks to prevent flea bites.
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AVOID all contact with wild rodents, including
squirrels; do not feed or handle them.
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DO NOT TOUCH sick or dead animals.
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PREVENT rodent infestations around your house; clear
plants and materials away from outside walls, reduce access to food items, and
set traps.
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TREAT known rodent sites around your home with flea
powder or a suitable insecticide.
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SEE A PHYSICIAN if you become ill with a high fever
and/or swollen lymph nodes. Plague is a treatable illness.
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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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WHEN REPORTING DEAD ANIMALS: Boulder
County residents should only report rodent "die-offs."
A "die-off" means three or more animals dying from unknown causes (not road
kill) less than 100 feet from each other within two days.
BCPH only tests prairie dogs, squirrels, rabbits, or rodents for plague if they
are part of a die-off.
If you have found more than one of these animals that meet these criteria,
please call the Boulder County Public Health Hotline at 303-441-1460.
Please do not call Boulder County Dispatch or 911.
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