Plague

Plague
Question	Answer
Example
Can I still use the animal	No
Commonly infected wildlife	Fleas, Rodents, Squirrels, Bobcats, Lynx, Mink, Martens, Prairie Dogs
Is this animal infected	Disease outbreaks in wildlife are rare Signs during outbreaks in rodents include: Swollen and/or rotting lymph nodes Multiple red spots on skin/organs
Can I get it	Yes Being bitten by an infected rodent flea Contact with abscesses on infected animals Through bites and scratches Inhaling infectious airborne droplets (rare)
How bad can it get	Human infections are rare but can be severe
How can I protect myself and others	Avoid rodents Prevent flea bites by wearing Long sleeved clothing and disposable gloves Do not consume infected animals Wear a proper filter mask Wash puncture wounds and scratches with soap and warm water
Symptoms in humans	Bubonic form (flea bite) Fever and general illness Swollen/painful/hot lymph nodes Tissue swelling around flea bite Septicemic (in blood) or pneumonic (in lungs) form Fever and signs of shock Breathing problems, including cough Excessive bleeding Death If you show symptoms, seek medical attention
Is it safe for pets	No Carnivores may be infected when they eat infected tissues Once infected, pets can potentially cause illness to humans
What causes it	Bacteria called Yersinia pestis It is primarily a flea-transmitted disease