Black Plague just when you thought it was gone, New mexico - 15th Apr 2011

NMDOH confirms plague in three animals
Precautions urged as year's first cases reported

NMDOH released this statement:

The New Mexico Department of Health’s Scientific Laboratory Division confirmed plague this week in a dog that lives in Santa Fe County, just east of the Santa Fe city limits. Other confirmed animal plague cases include a dog from Santa Fe County just west of the Santa Fe city limits and a cat from Rio Arriba County near Abiquiú.

The cases are the first in New Mexico in 2011. All cases have recovered and no human plague cases have been confirmed.

“Plague cases in pets serve as a warning that there is plague activity in rodents and their fleas and human cases can follow, so I encourage all New Mexicans to follow the prevention recommendations to keep themselves and their families safe,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Catherine Torres.

Plague, a bacterial disease of rodents, is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, rabbits, and pets. Read More