Bubonic Plague Confirmed In South Lake Tahoe

[Shiloh]

Source: https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/20...st-in-5-years/


Case Of Plague Confirmed In South Lake Tahoe; 1st In 5 Years
August 17, 2020 at 4:40 pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — Health officials have confirmed a case of plague at South Lake Tahoe — the first in California in five years.

El Dorado County officials said Monday the California Department of Public Health notified them of the positive test of a local resident who is under medical care while recovering at home.

Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by fleas that have acquired it from infected squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents. Dogs and cats may also carry plague-infected fleas...

[Pathfinder]

Health and Human Services


Home > Government > Health and Human Services

Department: Health and Human Services Agency Date: 8/17/2020

Contact: Margaret Williams Phone: (530) 642-7164

EL DORADO COUNTY RESIDENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR PLAGUE

(South Lake Tahoe, CA) - El Dorado County health officials have been notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that a South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for plague. The individual is currently under the care of a medical professional and is recovering at home. It's believed that the person, an avid walker, may have been bitten by an infected flea while walking their dog along the Truckee River Corridor north of Highway 50 or the Tahoe Keys area in South Lake Tahoe. Health officials are investigating the situation.

According to El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams, "Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County. 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. Human cases of plague are extremely rare but can be very serious." Several areas of South Lake Tahoe have signs posted to advise the public of the presence of plague and ways to prevent exposure.

Plague is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by the bites of fleas that have acquired the bacteria from infected squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents. Dogs and cats may also bring plague-infected fleas into the home. People can get plague when they are bitten by infected fleas. Plague can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild rodents, and by keeping pets away from rodent burrows.

Symptoms of plague usually show up within two weeks of exposure to an infected animal or flea and include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes. Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics if detected early.

CDPH routinely monitors rodent populations for plague activity in California and closely coordinates with county health officials. Surveillance activities in El Dorado County from 2016 to 2019 found a total of 20 rodents (ground squirrels or chipmunks) with evidence of exposure to the plague bacterium. These rodents were identified in the South Lake Tahoe area, at or near the Tallac Historic Site, Fallen Leaf Campground and/or Taylor Creek Visitor Center. There were no recent reports of plague-associated illness to people in El Dorado County prior to the current case. The last reported cases of plague in California were two human cases which were exposed to infected rodents or their fleas in Yosemite National Park in 2015. Both people were treated and recovered. These were the first reported human cases in the state since 2006.

Tips to prevent plague include the following:

• Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks or other wild rodents.
• Never touch sick, injured or dead rodents.
• Do not allow your pets to play with or pick up sick, injured or dead rodents.
• Do not camp, sleep or rest near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
• Look for and heed posted warning signs.
• Wear long pants tucked into boot tops and spray insect repellent containing DEET on socks and pant cuffs to reduce exposure to fleas.
• Leave pets home if possible; otherwise keep pets on a leash. Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or explore rodent burrows.
• Protect pets with flea control products.
• Pet cats are highly susceptible to plague and can pose a direct threat to humans. Keep cats away from rodents. Consult a veterinarian if your cat becomes sick after being in contact with rodents.
• If you get sick after being in an area where plague is known to occur, consult a physician and tell them you may have been exposed to plague.

State and local health officials will continue to monitor the situation and any plague-prone areas. To report a sick or dead rodent or for questions about plague, please contact El Dorado County Environmental Management at (530) 573-3450. For more information about plague, visit the CDPH website at:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID...es/Plague.aspx


https://www.edcgov.us/Government/hhs...or-Plague.aspx

[sharon sanders]

U.S. Forest Service - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

September 2 at 2:56 PM ?

Update: Parking areas at the Tallac Historic Site, Kiva Beach/Picnic area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center reopened today (9/4) at 7am.

The parking areas at the Tallac Historic Site, Kiva Beach/Picnic area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center are temporarily closed to allow for treatment to mitigate fleas in the area, which have tested positive for Bubonic Plague bacteria.

The Forest Service is working closely with our partners at the California Department of Public Health and we anticipate that these parking areas will reopen before Labor Day weekend.

Visitors should take the following precautions when visiting areas where active Bubonic Plague has been found. Remember to stay on trails and if you must bring your pet, keep them on a short leash and do not let them investigate rodent burrows.

• Avoid contact with wild rodents, which can be infected with fleas
• Do not touch sick/dead rodents
• Report unusual observations to rangers
• Do not camp, sleep/rest near animal burrows
• Wear long pants tucked into boots to reduce exposure to fleas
• Apply insect repellent to socks/pant cuffs
• If possible, leave pets at home

Bubonic Plague is naturally occurring in many parts of California, including the Sierra Nevada, and can be transmitted through bites from infected fleas. Plague is readily treatable when diagnosed early. If you experience any of the following symptoms after recreating in these areas, especially if you have evidence of an insect bite, tell your doctor where you have been and what you have done that may have exposed you to Bubonic Plague.

• Fever/chills
• Muscle aches/weakness
• Swollen/tender lymph nodes

Questions about closures may be directed to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us and more information about the Bubonic Plague bacteria can be found at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID...es/Plague.aspx.


https://www.facebook.com/LakeTahoeUS...45214888940049

[kiwibird]

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/03/lake-tahoe-chipmunks-bubonic-plague

Surrounded by fires, parched by drought, and shut down by the pandemic – residents of California’s scenic South Lake Tahoe thought they’d endured everything.

That was until this week, when the US Forest Service announced it was closing several popular sites after discovering bubonic plague in the chipmunk population.



The federal agency announced this week that “based on positive plague tests” in the rodent population around hiking areas, it would close the well-trafficked Taylor Creek Visitor Center and nearby Kiva Beach through Friday

.