Hey ! We're not even done with Covid-19 ! - Bubonic Plague isolated from Colorado Squirrel
From EcoWatch;In response to:
Bubonic Plague Found in Colorado Squirrel
by Jordan Davidson
July 17, 2020 11:43AM EST
The plague has recently seen an uptick in cases, and the World Health Organization has categorized it as a re-emerging disease. That's why public health officials in Colorado are urging people to be vigilant after a squirrel tested positive for bubonic plague.
The squirrel was found in the town of Morrison, west of Denver. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) officials announced the discovery of the plague-infected squirrel in a statement over the weekend. It's the first case of plague in the county, according to the statement, as CBS News reported.
"Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and can be contracted by humans and household animals if proper precautions are not taken," officials from JCPH said in the statement.
The county was prompted to test the squirrels after someone in Morrison reported seeing at least 15 dead squirrels around the town. Officials tested one, and since it was positive for bubonic plague, they expect others to be infected, according to CBS News.
The disease has been around for centuries and is responsible for the deadliest pandemic in human history. An estimated 50 million people in Europe died during the Black Death pandemic of the Middle Ages. JCPH warns the public that it can infect both humans and animals if proper precautions are not taken, according to CNN.
Every year, there are approximately 1,000 to 2,000 reported cases, but that is likely an undercounted number as there are many unreported cases, according to the WHO, as CNN reported. The U.S. reports up to a few dozen cases every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Two people died in Colorado from the plague in 2015, according to CNN.
Rodents are the main vector of plague transmission from animals to humans, but the disease can also be passed on through flea bites or from person to person. People can be infected from direct contact with blood or tissues of infected animals such as a cough or a bite, according to ABC News.
That danger hit home on the other side of the world this week when a teenage boy in Mongolia died from bubonic plague after eating a marmot, according to a separate report from CNN.
Marmots are large ground squirrels, a type of rodent, that have historically been linked to plague outbreaks in the region. Tests confirmed the teenager had contracted bubonic plague and authorities imposed quarantine measures in the Tugrug district of Gobi-Altai province, according to CNN.
The quarantine began on Sunday, but so far the 15 people authorities isolated who came into contact with the teenager have all been healthy.
JCPH warned pet owners that cats are highly susceptible to the plague from things like flea bites, a rodent scratch or bite, and ingesting an infected rodent. Cats can die if not treated quickly with antibiotics after contact with the plague. Dogs, on the other hand, are far less likely to pick up the plague. However, they can contract it through fleabites, according to ABC News.
In its statement, JCPH recommended several precautions to protect against the plague, including eliminating sources of food and shelter for wild animals, avoiding sick or dead wild animals and rodents, and consulting with vets about flea and tick control, as CBS News reported
"Risk for getting plague is extremely low as long as precautions are taken," the statement said.
The statement also added that plague symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes, which could occur within two to seven days after exposure to the bacteria.
Bubonic Plague Found in Colorado Squirrel
by Jordan Davidson
July 17, 2020 11:43AM EST
The plague has recently seen an uptick in cases, and the World Health Organization has categorized it as a re-emerging disease. That's why public health officials in Colorado are urging people to be vigilant after a squirrel tested positive for bubonic plague.
The squirrel was found in the town of Morrison, west of Denver. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) officials announced the discovery of the plague-infected squirrel in a statement over the weekend. It's the first case of plague in the county, according to the statement, as CBS News reported.
"Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and can be contracted by humans and household animals if proper precautions are not taken," officials from JCPH said in the statement.
The county was prompted to test the squirrels after someone in Morrison reported seeing at least 15 dead squirrels around the town. Officials tested one, and since it was positive for bubonic plague, they expect others to be infected, according to CBS News.
The disease has been around for centuries and is responsible for the deadliest pandemic in human history. An estimated 50 million people in Europe died during the Black Death pandemic of the Middle Ages. JCPH warns the public that it can infect both humans and animals if proper precautions are not taken, according to CNN.
Every year, there are approximately 1,000 to 2,000 reported cases, but that is likely an undercounted number as there are many unreported cases, according to the WHO, as CNN reported. The U.S. reports up to a few dozen cases every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Two people died in Colorado from the plague in 2015, according to CNN.
Rodents are the main vector of plague transmission from animals to humans, but the disease can also be passed on through flea bites or from person to person. People can be infected from direct contact with blood or tissues of infected animals such as a cough or a bite, according to ABC News.
That danger hit home on the other side of the world this week when a teenage boy in Mongolia died from bubonic plague after eating a marmot, according to a separate report from CNN.
Marmots are large ground squirrels, a type of rodent, that have historically been linked to plague outbreaks in the region. Tests confirmed the teenager had contracted bubonic plague and authorities imposed quarantine measures in the Tugrug district of Gobi-Altai province, according to CNN.
The quarantine began on Sunday, but so far the 15 people authorities isolated who came into contact with the teenager have all been healthy.
JCPH warned pet owners that cats are highly susceptible to the plague from things like flea bites, a rodent scratch or bite, and ingesting an infected rodent. Cats can die if not treated quickly with antibiotics after contact with the plague. Dogs, on the other hand, are far less likely to pick up the plague. However, they can contract it through fleabites, according to ABC News.
In its statement, JCPH recommended several precautions to protect against the plague, including eliminating sources of food and shelter for wild animals, avoiding sick or dead wild animals and rodents, and consulting with vets about flea and tick control, as CBS News reported
"Risk for getting plague is extremely low as long as precautions are taken," the statement said.
The statement also added that plague symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes, which could occur within two to seven days after exposure to the bacteria.
Comments (50)
With regard to plagues, there have been 3 cases of Bubonic plague [excuse spelling if incorrect], in China.
This plague is pretty horrific and of course comes from rats but all rodents and wildlife seem to share the same propensity for getting these plagues and illnesses and many pass it on to humans and visa versa.
Here's a more comprehensive answer from The American Veterinary Medical Association;
During the first five months of the COVID-19 outbreak (January 1 – June 8, 2020), which includes the first twelve weeks following the March 11 declaration by the WHO of a global pandemic, fewer than 20 pets have tested positive, with confirmation, for SARS-CoV-2 globally. This despite the fact that as of June 8, the number of people confirmed with COVID-19 exceeded 7 million globally and 1.9 million in the United States.
have been fewer than 25 reports from around the world of pets (dogs and cats) being infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, none of these reports suggest that pets are a source of infection for people. Evidence to date from the few domestic animals that have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 indicate these infections are typically a result of close contact with people with COVID-19. In laboratory studies of experimental infection with SARS-CoV-2, ferrets, Syrian hamsters, and cats—all animals that may be kept as pets—show potential for serving as animal models of human infection, but dogs, pigs, chickens, and ducks do not. And, although molecular modeling and in vitro studies suggest that multiple animal species may theoretically be able to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, a definitive intermediate host has not been identified. There is little to no evidence that domestic animals are easily infected with SARS-CoV-2 under natural conditions and no evidence to date that they transmit the virus to people.
"An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people." -- Thomas Jefferson
What Orchid said
Big Pharma's taking a page from the Military Industrial Complex playbook.
Perpetual Pandemic can be as lucrative as Perpetuated War ...
Listen to what the guest is saying ...
Then listen to the folks between 44:00 & 52:30 ...
Perpetual Pandemic is just One More " ... unimaginable height from which humanity is about to fall".
The above cited blog comments are cyber/virtual.
IRL - It's been speculated that I & others I know personally may have Gov't dossiers based on activities with ...
... including a Very vocal former FBI Agent.
I've so far avoided arrest -
Some of us have engaged in Civil Disobedience & brought it on.
... for an average of 40 years, until the 20th century.
See Comments on the report.
As noted in the report - It's Not a virus - antibiotics are effective treatment.
1st Line Of Defense - Apply liberal doses of Common Sense.
I can only imagine it's on account of Bubonic Plague being in the Blog Title ...
I was hoping there'd be a "Flu" blog on Page 1 & we could pile up our blogs commented on in a single blog to FOUR
No such luck - the Record stands @ Three. ...
The ambiguity was reinforced if (as is now claimed) it was suggested we develop a vaccine for a strain of flu, as that's routinely Done.
Why would anyone (microbiologist or not) think we Wouldn't be developing such a vaccine??
BTW - I'm Mike Love of the Beach Boys & I hang out here incognito.
Nam outted me awhile back. Prove I'm Not.