Plague in Arizona: Minimize Your Risk of Exposure!

Recent news reports of the past few years have drawn attention to the reality that Arizona is a plague hot spot.  According to the CDC Plague Home page, most human cases in the United States occur in two regions: 1) Northern New Mexico, Northern Arizona, and Southern Colorado; and 2) California, Southern Oregon, and far Western Nevada.

While cases are still rare, it is obvious that the danger of plague is lurking in our region as fleas carry the disease to existing animal populations. Symptoms of pneumonic plague include: high fever, chills, nausea, chest pain, cough, headache, and blood in the saliva. Symptoms are often accompanied by a painful, enlarged lymph node in the groin or armpit. If treated early with antibiotics, the chances of survival are very high.

Particularly if you live in northern Arizona, it is important that you take precautions when you come into contact with any animal whether dead or alive, wild or domestic. Here are some ways to minimize your risk of exposure:
•    Put flea collars on all pets and spray or dust regularly.
•    Do not allow cats outdoors and keep dogs from wandering.
•    If a pet cat becomes ill, have it checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
•    Do not touch wild, sick or dead animals.  If you must touch them in order to help or remove them do not do so without taking steps to protect yourself such as wearing gloves.
•    Avoid rodent nests and have them removed by professionals trained to do so.
•    Report rodent deaths (such a rats and prairie dogs) to local authorities for investigation so that plague can be identified and contained quickly.
•    Cook game meat until juices run clear or to 180 degrees or higher.
•    If you begin to have symptoms such as those listed, see medical assistance immediately.

For more information about plague in Arizona, please visit any of these websites:
http://www.az211.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1197&Itemid=36
http://asymptoticlife.com/2008/10/08/bubonic-plague-in-arizona.aspx
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1233602,plague-kills102108.article
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88362.php
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm