Plague-infected prairie dogs are prompting more and more closures for wildlife sanctuaries in Colorado

Morgan Krakow, the Washington Post

published

9:51 PDT, Sunday, August 18, 2019

Some parts of a Colorado wildlife preserve are still closed Sunday after the government discovered plague-infected prairie dogs at the end of July. Wildlife and natural areas near Denver have been closed as authorities continue their efforts to stop the spread of the disease.

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, a 15,000-acre natural area northeast of Denver, was partially reopened on Sunday. The refuge is home to many species, including bison and bald eagles, and the plague problem first developed in the black-tailed prairie dog.

Infected fleas stung prairie dogs and authorities began closing affected areas "as a precaution to prioritize the health and safety of visitors, while allowing staff to protect the health of wildlife" , according to a statement from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Some areas remain closed because of the risks associated with hiking and taking pets. Dogs are less susceptible to plague than cats, but can catch fleas that can infect other animals and other people, said Gilbert Cazier, an environmental health specialist in the department of health. the health of Tri-County.

"If you bring the dog home and that he sleeps in your bed, these fleas can then jump and reach you," Cazier said.

Although the plague can now be treated with antibiotics, it has a dark history and, according to the CDC, would be responsible for the death of 60% of the European population during the Black Death. In 1900, rat-infested ships leaving plague-affected areas caused outbreaks in US port cities, but the latest outbreak occurred in Los Angeles in the 1920s.

Today, most cases of plague are reported in the western United States, with an average of seven cases reported each year in recent decades. The bacterium causing the plague, Yersinia pestis, often infects small rodents such as rats, mice and, in the last incident in Colorado, prairie dogs. The fleas can then transmit the disease to humans and other large mammals. In addition to fleas, humans can contract the plague when they come into contact with bodily fluids from infected animals or by breathing droplets of the coughing plague bacteria.

According to the CDC, bubonic plague is responsible each year for 80% of plague cases in the United States. A boy from Idaho contracted bubonic plague last year. In 2017, Arizona officials warned residents after discovering fleas of plague bacteria. And sadly, in 2015, a star high school athlete died as a result of the plague in Colorado.

The plague continues to afflict some communities around the world. In 2017, an epidemic of pneumonic plague in Madagascar reportedly killed 202 people, according to reports from the World Health Organization.

Colorado health officials have coated prairie dog holes with an insecticide powder. While prairie dogs enter their holes and graze the powder, says Cazier, this kills fleas and prevents spread to other animals.

Parts of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Area and surrounding areas will remain closed during the Labor Day weekend, officials said Friday. Areas include parts of the Wildlife Refuge and other open spaces in Commerce City, a suburb outside Denver. Officials made it clear that Dick's Sporting Goods Park, a nearby event site, would continue to host all events, but parking was restricted to asphalt because the surrounding grassy areas were home to dog populations. meadow. This is good news for those who will be attending the Phish show on August 30th.