California reports 1st plague case in a domestic cat in 12 years
Officials in Sierra County, California report ) that a domestic cat in eastern Sierra County has tested positive for plague (Yersinia pestis).
This is the first documented positive case of plague in a domestic cat in California since 2011.
The most important wild rodents that can carry plague in the Sierra Nevada region are ground squirrels and chipmunks, although other rodents such as woodrats, mice, and voles can be infected. Plague is lethal to many rodents. Therefore, an increase in sick or dead rodents is a possible warning that plague may be in the area.
Household pets, such as dogs and especially cats, can either get plague or carry infected fleas home to their owners. In rare instances, plague can be transmitted to people from cats sick with plague.
“There are no recent cases of human plague in Sierra County. Plague has been identified rarely in humans and domestic cats in this region over the past decades, the most recent human cases in Sierra County were in 1977 and 1980. It is vital that the disease be diagnosed and treated in its early stages to reduce risk of developing pneumonic plague which is far more serious and contagious.” states Dr. Celia Sutton-Pado, Health Officer for Sierra County.
Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness. In most cases there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck area. Plague symptoms in cats and dogs are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite; there may be swelling in the lymph nodes under the jaw. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the probability of death in people and pets can be greatly reduced.
Sierra County residents and guests are urged to take the following general precautions to help prevent the exposure to plague:
Avoid all contact with rodents and their fleas. Never touch sick, injured, or dead rodents.
Keep pets on a leash when outdoors and protect pets with flea control products. Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or explore rodent burrows.
Pet cats are highly susceptible to plague, and infected cats can transmit the bacterium to humans. Keep cats indoors and discourage their hunting of rodents. Consult a veterinarian immediately if your cat becomes sick after being in contact with rodents.
Residents living in areas where plague is known to occur should keep rodents out of homes and remove food, woodpiles, and other attractants for rodents around homes and outbuildings.
Do not camp, sleep, or rest near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks, or other wild rodents in campgrounds and picnic areas. Store food and refuse in rodent-proof containers.
Wear long pants tucked into boot tops to reduce your exposure to fleas. Apply insect repellent to socks and trouser cuffs to help reduce exposure to fleas.