Warm Weather Cautions - Tularemia, Plague & Salmonella

Love the wildlife, but keep a safe distance for now. As is common for the warm months, tularemia and plague are on the rise. It happens naturally during springtime and summer as the population rises and there's more interaction among the species. Then, once again, later in the year, nature sorts things out and everything's back to normal again. Francisella tularensis is transmitted by flies and ticks. The DOH says there have been reported cases in Edgewood, Lamy, west of Santa Fe, and as close as La Cienega. Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches and joint pain. Humans can be diagnosed, but more commonly, cats are diagnosed ... and dogs as well. Not to worry though - antibiotics do the trick.

Salmonella has been rampant on the east coast this spring. They believe it's from the bird food that people put in the feeders during the winter which then drop to the ground, get covered with snow, thaws in the spring and creates an ideal environment for salmonella breeding.

The plague is transmitted by fleas that live on wildlife (coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, mice, etc) which can then hop to your pets and you. Being here in rural New Mexico fleas can be anywhere - walking out on the trails, hiking, and in your house. In the six years we've been here, El Dorado has had a case of plague almost every year. If you go up to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu the hiking trail states the following: "Hike at your own risk. The rodents in this natural area have fleas carrying plague". And now Cochiti Lake has it's own case of plague. This is the 4th case of plague in the state this year. Dr Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian at the department of health, states "Everyone needs to be aware of the situation and take precautions and avoid rodents and their fleas. We are seeing plague activity in many different locations of north-central New Mexico".

In the three previous human plague cases this year (and as is suspected in the 4th case, here in Cochiti) roaming and hunting pets have come in contact with rodents or other wildlife, brought the fleas back into the home and bedroom where they often sleep. So Dr. Ettestad advises the following:

1. keep your pets indoors or away from hunting and roaming



2. get a cheap flea comb and flea spray from any pet store



3. and if you are letting your pets out then check them for fleas when they come in for the night and try to have them sleep someplace other than your bed.

Be aware that hiking will often put you and your pet in contact with fleas! So check yourself and your pet at the end of the hike.

There are two types of human bubonic plague - pneumonic (affects the lungs) and septicemic (gets into the blood stream). Symptoms -- ill within 2-7 days, fever, chills, painful swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, armpit and neck areas. Sometimes there is headache, vomiting and diahrrea. If it's septicemic there could also be abdominal pain. If it's pneumonic there could be a severe cough, difficulty breathing and bloody sputum. Symptoms in cats and dogs are similar to humans - fever, lethargy, not eating, and swollen lymph glands around the neck. The plague can be fatal - this year an 8 yr old boy in Santa Fe county died from the plague. The good news is all fleas do not carry the plague and with prompt diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment the plague can be treated for both human and animal and things can pretty much go back to normal.

If you or your dog or your cat have any of the stated symptoms please seek medical attention immediately - don't think it will just go away.

Other sources: NM Department of Health

{End}