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Kinley Mitchell, 10, attended Sunnyside Elementary School and raised pigs in 4-H
Lab tests confirmed the death of a 10-year-old girl from La Plata County was associated with the plague, according to a press release from San Juan Basin Public Health.
The La Plata County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that Kinley Mitchell died on July 5 after being treated at Mercy Regional Medical Center. She was a fourth grader at Sunnyside Elementary School and raised pigs in 4-H, according to a letter from members of the 4-H Weaselskin Club. This is the first plague death in Colorado since 2015.
“On behalf of all of us at SJBPH, our hearts go out to the family as we support the state’s comprehensive investigation to ensure the safety of residents,” said Liane Jollon, Executive Director of SJBPH.
SJBPH was made aware of the potential case on Wednesday. While initial test results indicated a potential case of plague, the diagnosis could not be confirmed until further testing was performed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
CDPHE testing confirmed the plague case on Friday, according to the SJBPH press release.
Only one other case of plague, in a rodent, was discovered this year in El Paso County, according to data from CDPHE.
“We are so sad for the loss of this young Coloradan and our deepest condolences go out to the family,” said Jennifer House, state public health veterinarian for CDPHE. “Public health is conducting an epidemiological investigation and wants the Coloradans to know that although this disease is very rare, it does occur sometimes, and to see a doctor if you have symptoms.”
The Mitchell family declined to comment on Monday.
“She had a better smile and was so sweet!” reads a letter signed by 4-H Weaselskin club officers Mike and Rachael Latham.
Social media posts expressed prayers and condolences for the family.
The CDPHE and SJBPH are continuing to investigate the case and will provide additional information as it becomes available, according to the SJBPH statement.
The SJBPH said the death was “associated” with the plague because the public health agency does not determine the cause of death.
As of Monday, the official cause of death was pending, said Jann Smith, La Plata County coroner. It could be bubonic plague or pulmonary plague, she said.
“We’re just waiting to confirm, so we can finalize the death certificate,” Smith said.
Plague is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas or through direct contact with infected animals.
Bubonic plague usually develops from the bite of an infected flea and is known to have killed millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Septicaemic plague can come from untreated bubonic plague, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pulmonary plague develops by inhaling infectious droplets or by untreated bubonic plague after spreading to the lungs.
Symptoms of the plague include fever, headache, chills, extreme weakness, painful lymph nodes, abdominal pain, bleeding in the skin, and blackened skin or tissue.
Modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague, but without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death, according to the CDC.
Plague is frequently detected in rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats and other species of ground squirrels and chipmunks, according to SJBPH.
Health officials do not yet know how Mitchell contracted the infection, Smith said.
The risk of contracting certain animal diseases increases during the summer months when humans and animals come into closer contact, although the risk is present year round.
The SJBPH recommended controlling the presence of wildlife and fleas around homes as well as wearing repellent and appropriate clothing when going outside.
Animals must be kept up to date with their vaccinations and protected from fleas. People should avoid sleeping near animals, feeding wildlife, and handling animal waste.
It is important that children are also aware of the precautions and know how to tell an adult if they have been in contact with a wild animal, the public health agency said.
The SJBPH is investigating the mortality of prairie dog populations for the presence of plague. If an active prairie dog colony suddenly disappears, people should report the incident to SJBPH.
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