The Plague Has Returned to Colorado

No, we're not time-traveling back to the middle ages, but what has been known for centuries as 'the plague' has made a return to Colorado in 2021.

The plague is caused primarily by fleas, which typically attach themselves to animals with fur, including household pets such as cats and primarily dogs.

So far, the plague has been found in such Colorado counties as La Plata, San Miguel, Boulder, El Paso, Huerfano, and Adams.

Unfortunately, a 10-year-old in La Plata county caught the plague and sadly passed away because of symptoms related to it. Lab results have concluded that the child contracted the deadly disease from fleas, according to the Colorado Department of Health.

Fortunately, the plague is treatable if diagnosed early enough. Following the tragic death of the 10-year-old Colorado child, Deputy State Epidemiologist and Public Heath Veteran Jennifer House had this to say about the current situation:

 While it’s rare for people to contract plague, we want to make sure everyone knows the symptoms. The disease is treatable if caught early.  Let a medical provider know if you think you have symptoms of plague or if you think you’ve been exposed.

To avoid pets or humans catching the plague, experts suggest keeping pets away from rodents, sick or dead animals. It's also recommended that if you have pets to hire a pest control company to spray your home, as rodents are the most likely to spread the disease to your pets.

Also, if your pet becomes sick, it's recommended to bring them to a veterinarian right away to rule out the possibility of them having the plague.

[NBC4]