Denver-Area Wildlife Refuge in Colorado fights sylvatic plague



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(Newser)

Sections of a wildlife preserve near Denver remain closed as prairie dogs infected with the plague may spread the disease to humans. The 15,000 acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge located in Commerce City, Colorado closed in July as fleas spread sylvatic plague in black-tailed prairie dogs United States today. And although most of the shelter reopened on Saturday, "some of the trails and car parks will remain closed during Labor Day weekend due to ongoing surveillance and plague management efforts," according to the Department of Labor. Tri-County health.

"Prairie dog colonies are monitored and burrows are treated with an insecticide, but there is still evidence of fleas in hiking and camping areas, which could put people and endangered domestic animals, "said John M. Douglas Jr., executive director by Gizmodo. It does not appear that the region has reported cases of plague among humans, which could contract flea or rodent disease or handle infected meat. Sylvatic plague – with symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes and extreme exhaustion – is treated with antibiotics. (Read more stories of plague.)

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