Throughout history, few diseases have caused as much fear in humans as plague, with good reason. It caused around 50 million deaths in the 1300's, and it became known as the Black Death. The disease carries a 30-60% fatality rate in humans if it isn't treated.
Plague is a serious illness caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. This bacteria is zoonotic, meaning that it is passed to humans from animals. In the case of plague, transmission occurs when humans are exposed to infected small animals or their fleas, or when the bacteria is inhaled. The most common animals to spread plague to humans are mice, rats, squirrels, prairie dogs, and rabbits.
There are three types of plague infection, depending on how the bacteria is acquired by the victim:
Dogs are highly resistant to plague bacteria. When they do become infected, the disease is usually mild and self-limiting, meaning that it resolves on its own. Signs of dogs with plague, if they develop any signs at all, include:
Because dogs aren't very susceptible to developing plague infection, their role in an outbreak is often that of carrier. Dogs can pick up fleas that are infected with Yersinia pestis in rodent-infested areas and carry them to humans or cats, where they can bite and transmit plague.
When there is an outbreak of plague in a rodent population, the prairie dogs, mice, rats, or rabbits in that population often die off fairly quickly. This leaves all of their infected fleas looking for a host to feed from. They are eager to jump on a passing dog.
Cats are very susceptible to developing plague. Find out the signs of plague in cats here.
There have been cases of plague in some western states, especially New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. Plague usually occurs in rural areas. There are an average of 7 human cases per year in the US, mostly in the form of bubonic plague. Most cases in the US occur between late spring and early fall.
Bubonic and septicemic forms of plague are quite treatable with a variety of antibiotics, but successful treatment hinges on early diagnosis. Pneumonic plague is more resistant to treatment, so it is especially important to catch it early.
People need to be aware if they are in or have visited an area that is known to have plague so they can take proper precautions. Similarly, if you feel ill or you notice that your dog is acting sick or has a swelling below the jaw or behind a front leg and you have been in an area where plague is known to exist, go the doctor right away and let them know the area you have visited.
At the time of this writing, there is a warning in place for the people in and around Flagstaff, Arizona. Authorities there noticed the dying off of a large number of prairie dogs in a colony in the Picture Canyon trail area. They tested fleas found in the prairie dogs' burrows and confirmed that they were carrying Yersinia pestis.
Authorities have sprayed the area with insecticides aimed at killing the fleas. They are asking hikers to wear long pants and socks and to check themselves for fleas before getting back into their cars.
It is also extremely important that people make sure their dogs are current on flea preventative. Local veterinarians can recommend the best products for the area.
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