A Lake Tahoe space resident has examined positive for plague, California well being officers stated Tuesday. Officials stated they believed the resident was contaminated after being bitten by an contaminated flea whereas tenting within the South Lake Tahoe space.
The individual is recovering at house and beneath the care of medical professionals, El Dorado County officers stated in a news release.
“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” stated Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County appearing director of public well being. “It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there’s a mean of seven circumstances of human plague reported yearly within the United States. The an infection is attributable to the micro organism Yersinia pestis and is unfold to people by means of contaminated flea bites or contact with contaminated animals. Symptoms of an infection are likely to happen inside two weeks of publicity and might embody fever, chills, weak spot and swollen lymph nodes. Plague infections might be handled with frequent antibiotics.
The CDC notes that the majority plague circumstances are likely to happen in rural areas within the western United States.
The California Department of Public Health routinely displays rodent populations for plague exercise and has recognized 4 positive rodent infections within the Tahoe Basin this yr. According to El Dorado County officers, previous to this an infection, the final positive case within the space was in 2020.
To stop an infection, the CDC suggests decreasing potential rodent habitats by clearing brush, rock piles, and junk; utilizing insect repellant like DEET when in areas of attainable publicity; utilizing flea management product on pets and never permitting pets that roam freely in areas endemic with an infection to sleep in your mattress.