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
|
