Cats are tested positive for bubonic plague



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Johnson County, Wyo. (WZTV) –

Three cats were tested positive for plague in Wyoming, laboratory tests were revealed at the state health department.

A cat from Kaycee, Wyoming "known for wandering outside", is the last infected with plague, making it the third cat affected by plague in this state in the last six months. The other two cases were confirmed in cats from Sheridan and Campbell counties.

"Plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be life-threatening to pets and people if it's not treated with antibiotics as soon as possible," said Dr. Alexia Harrist, health officer of the US Department of Health. State and epidemiologist of WDH. "The disease can be transmitted to humans by sick animals and fleas from infected animals. We inform people of the potential threat in the cat area and in the state. "

No human cases have been identified yet. Although there is an average of seven cases of human plague each year in the United States.

"While the disease is rare in humans, the plague occurs naturally in the western United States, in areas where rodents and their fleas are infected," Harrist said.

Fever, swollen and tender lymph nodes, extreme exhaustion, headache, chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea may be symptoms of the plague.

Symptoms in pets may include enlarged lymphatic glands; swelling in the neck, face or around the ears; fever; chills; lack of energy; cough; vomiting; diarrhea and dehydration.

The Wyoming Department of Health has recommended the following precautions to help prevent plague:

– Use an insect repellent on boots and pants in areas that may contain fleas

– Use an insect repellent on pets and properly eliminate rodents that pets can bring home.

– Avoid unnecessary exposures to rodents

– Avoid contact with rodent carcbades

– Avoid areas of unexplained disappearance of rodents

More information about the plague can be found here.

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