COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) received a report (July 7) of a prairie dog die-off in the Townsend Winona area, northeast of Flagstaff.
A sudden die-off of prairie dogs and rodents can be an indicator of plague, an infectious disease that can affect humans and animals. The bacterium that causes plague, Yersinia pestis, is transmitted from the bite of infected fleas or by coming into contact with infected animals. Individuals can also become infected through exposure to sick pets.
The impacted area is located on private land. CCHHS is working with the property owner to collect fleas for testing and will be reaching out to property owners in the area for expanded surveillance and potential treatment. Burrows will be treated to reduce flea activity, and the area will continue to be monitored.
Due to the endemic nature of plague in Coconino County, CCHHS maintains a surveillance system for the disease. CCHHS also conducts surveillance for other endemic diseases including West Nile virus and rabies to rapidly detect the disease, understand its spread, and implement control measures to protect the public.
To prevent exposure to plague, CCHHS recommends the following:
- Avoid fleas. Use veterinarian-approved flea treatments on pets, keep them on a leash, and keep them out of areas known to be inhabited by wild rodents.
- Report prairie dog die-offs. Those noticing a sudden die-off of rodents or rabbits are urged to contact CCHHS Animal Services at 928-679-8756 or Environmental Health at 928-679-8760.
- Prevent rodent infestations by removing brush, rock piles, trash, and lumber from around homes and outbuildings. Store food in rodent-proof containers.
- Avoid contact with wild animals. Never feed or handle wild rodents and avoid areas where they are known to live. Do not touch sick or dead animals.
- Use an insect repellent containing 20-30 percent DEET and tuck pant cuffs into your socks to help prevent flea bites.
- Keep dogs on a leash to prevent free roaming around rodent burrows, and as required by Arizona State law.
- Do not camp next to rodent burrows and avoid sleeping directly on the ground.
- Be aware that cats are highly susceptible to plague and while they can get sick from a variety of illnesses, a sick cat (especially one allowed to run at large outside) should receive care by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment to reduce human exposure to plague.
- Seek veterinary care for sick pets. If your pet shows symptoms such as a high fever or swollen lymph nodes, is lethargic, has a loss of appetite and may develop a cough or have eye drainage, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Symptoms of plague in humans typically appear within one to eight days after exposure and may include fever, chills, headache, weakness, and muscle pain. Some individuals may also develop swollen lymph nodes (called “buboes”), most commonly in the groin, armpits, or limbs. The disease can become septicemic (spreading throughout the bloodstream) and/or pneumonic (affecting the lungs) but is curable with proper antibiotic therapy if diagnosed and treated early.
Individuals with symptoms consistent with plague should see a physician immediately as treatment with antibiotics is very effective. More information is available at cdc.gov/plague.