Plague hits animals in 10 counties in state

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 26, 2006 by CARY LEIDER VOGRIN THE GAZETTE

Lee Griffen is always on the lookout for signs that there might be trouble in town: cobwebs over entryways, grass that's grown a little too long, an unnatural quietness.

They are indicators of a die-off -- that the once-bustling prairie dog town in the field beneath his feet is now deserted. It would likely mean bubonic plague has hit and that the disease- carrying fleas that remain in the burrows below are looking for a new meal. A human one, maybe.

Although human cases of plague are rare, the bacterial disease is often deadly when it does occur. About one of every seven human plague cases is fatal, and with plague emerging in animals earlier than normal this year, health officials like Griffen, who works at the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment, want Coloradans to be aware of the disease.

Of six Coloradans who contracted the infection in the past two years, one died, according to John Pape, an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The most recent human case in El Paso County was in 1991, and a fatal case occurred in 1984.

Evidence of plague has not been found in El Paso or Teller counties this year, but it has shown up in animals in 10 other Colorado counties, according to Pape. Among the positive tests are 14 cats.

Pape said cats are particularly susceptible to the disease, although dogs are not.

"Dogs are very resistant to plague and rarely become ill," he said. "The biggest concern is if they're out roaming freely, they can pick up fleas and bring them home."

It's obvious when a cat has plague, he said. "The symptoms are pretty much the same as the symptoms in people. They'll develop high fevers, are very lethargic. They look sick."

And the feline friends also can transmit the disease to their owners, either by bringing home a flea or through a bite or scratch.

Indeed, a big concern with plague is when it shows up near neighborhoods or campgrounds. When that happens, health officials begin fleacontrol work.

In past years, El Paso County has used "bait tubes" lined with insecticide to control plague among squirrels on Colorado Springs' west side. Fleas are killed when the animals crawl through the tubes to reach a treat of peanut butter and oats.

In the case of prairie dog colonies, deserted towns are doused with insecticide.

All appeared well during a recent house call Griffen made to a colony of hundreds of the animals in a field at Fontaine and Powers boulevards just across from a Widefield neighborhood.

Heads popped up and down from holes, little ones scurried across the field and adults chirped loud warnings about the human intruders.

In all, there are 45 known prairie dog colonies to monitor in El Paso County.

Because prairie dogs are highly social, plague would quickly spread if it made its way into their underground town, an elaborate network of tunnels.

"Plague affects their little bodies pretty quickly," Griffen said. "Plague can wipe out a rather large colony in a week or week and a half."

Griffen said some -- ranchers in particular -- like seeing that happen. The prairie dog burrows are dangerous to livestock, which can easily break a leg by stepping into one.

He's even received requests for plagueing insects from some landowners who don't realize how dangerous plague is: "I don't know how many times I've been asked, 'If you get some of those positive fleas, we'd sure like some.' "

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0236 or cary@gazette.com

PLAGUE DETAILS

Plague is a bacterial disease. Symptoms include sudden high fever, chills, nausea, muscle pain and painful or swollen lymph glands. It needs to be treated promptly with antibiotics.

Most human cases of plague in the United States occur in two regions, one being the area encompassing northern New Mexico, northern Arizona and southern Colorado, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The other area includes California, southern Oregon and western Nevada.

To protect yourself from plague, health officials recommend:

Not handling dead rodents, and reporting animal dieoffs to the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment at 578-3199.

Keeping cats indoors. Cats, more than dogs, are highly susceptible to plague.

Treating pets for fleas.

Clearing property of lumber piles and trash bins, where rodents often live or hide.

Taking down feeders that might attract squirrels.