ADHS
News Release:
 |
|
|
Arizona’s first case of plague since 2000
has been reported in an adult female in Apache County.
The woman became ill early September from a flea bite at
her home in northern Arizona. She is now recovering
after receiving the appropriate antibiotics treatment.
In a community northeast of Flagstaff in Coconino
County, an outbreak of plague involving prairie dogs is
occurring. Many rodents are dying from the disease and
are leaving behind infected fleas. County health and
Northern Arizona University officials are closely
monitoring and responding to this situation. Response
has included flea collecting and testing, and extensive
prevention education and outreach to people in affected
areas.
48 cases of plague have been reported in Arizona during
the last 30 years (1977-2006), eight of which were
fatal. The plague risk has been relatively low during
the last six years due to drought conditions and high
summer temperatures. “The recent appearance of plague
activity in two northern counties has us concerned that
we may see plague in other areas as well,” said Craig
Levy, head of the state Vector Borne and Zoonotic
Disease Program.
Plague is an acute infection of rodents, rabbits and
other carnivorous animals. It can be transmitted to
humans by flea-bites or by direct contact with infected
animal tissues during skinning or handling of game
animals. In very rare cases, plague can be spread from
person-to-person, or cat-to-person, by pneumonic
(airborne) transmission. People or animals, particularly
cats, infected with plague pneumonia can transmit the
bacteria by coughing or sneezing in the face of another
person or animal.
Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment as it
is a disease that responds well to appropriate
antibiotic therapy. Symptoms of plague often include
high fever, chills, weakness, headache, nausea, and
frequently a painful, enlarged lymph node in the groin
area or armpit. Persons with these symptoms should seek
immediate medical attention, especially if they have
recently been exposed to fleas, rodents, rabbits, or
sick cats in areas where plague may be active.
In Arizona, plague activity mostly occurs in areas above
4,500 feet in elevation. For this reason, campers,
hunters, hikers and others who live in or visit areas
above 4,500 feet should take the following precautions
to avoid plague exposures:
- Do not handle sick or dead animals.
- Avoid close exposures to rodent burrows and fleas.
- Prevent cats and dogs from roaming. Wandering
animals can pick up plague infected fleas and bring them
home.
- Use appropriate flea control products on cats and
dogs. Consult your veterinarian for guidance.
- Wear protective gloves when skinning rabbits or
rodents and when preparing them for cooking. Also, game
meat should be cooked to 180 degrees or until the juices
run clear
- In the event a plague-like illness develops within
six days of a potential exposure, see a physician
immediately.
For more information on plague, please visit:
http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/vector/plague/index.htm
|
|
|
