Outdoor activities come with risks—exposure to the elements, dehydration, slips and falls, wild-animal encounters, etc. However, most of us don’t expect to come home with the bubonic plague like one camper recently did. This unfortunate person went camping south of Lake Tahoe in California, and his or her flu-like symptoms ended up being an infection caused by the plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis.
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Also called the “Black Death,” the bubonic plague was once a death sentence. Thankfully, today, with early detection, plague victims survive with the help of antibiotics. Rodents like squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and rats can carry the infection, which can spread to humans through the bites of infected fleas. Health officials from El Dorado County suspect a flea bite caused this person’s plague infection. A press release from this week suggests the person is currently recovering at home.
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“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” said Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County’s Acting Director of Public Health. “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.”
Symptoms and Tips to Avoid the Plague
The press release states that symptoms of the bubonic plague typically manifest within two weeks of exposure to an infected animal or flea. Symptoms include fever, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
To avoid the plague in areas where infected rodents live, never interact with wild rodents, including squirrels and chipmunks. Don’t let your pets interact with sick, injured, or dead rodents. Wear long pants and use DEET insect repellent to reduce your exposure to fleas.
See a news report about the California camper who contracted the bubonic plague here:
Header stock image of plague bacteria (Yersinia pestis) by KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
