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| The Ninth Street squirrels appear healthy, nevertheless they should be avoided. |
Plague,
a disease of rodents transmitted by fleas, has been found in several
dead squirrels in Denver's City Park and other communities.
According to the Colorado Department of Health, plague remains
entrenched among wild rodents in North America and infrequently causes
individual human cases when people are exposed to animals and their
fleas.
There have been no reported cases of the plague on the Auraria
Campus. However, with the large squirrel population, as well as
rabbits, living on campus, community members are urged to be careful
and avoid any contact. This is especially important on Ninth Street
Park, where the squirrels are less afraid of humans. If you come across
a sick or dead animal, do not touch it. Call Auraria Facilities
Management at 303-556-3260.
The Colorado Department of Health offers the following precautions:
1. DO NOT feed or entice any rodent or rabbit species into your yard, back porch or patio.
2. Eliminate rodent harborage such as piles of lumber, broken cement, trash and weeds around your home or recreational cabin.
3. Make sure that houses and outbuildings are as rodent-proof as
possible. Keep foundations in good repair and eliminate overhanging
trees from roof and windows.
4. When camping or hiking, do not linger in rodent-infested areas.
Do not catch, play with or attempt to hand feed wild rodents.
5. Avoid contact with all sick and dead rodents and rabbits. Look
for the presence of blow flies or dead animal smell as evidence of
animal die-offs. Report such areas to local or state health departments
or to the appropriate campground office.
6. While hiking, treat pants, socks, shoe tops, arms and legs with insect repellants.
7.
Keep all dogs leashed, or better yet, leave them at home when hiking or
camping. This is a good reason to restrain cats and dogs from roaming
at all times.
8. Insecticide powders or shampoos should be used
on cats and dogs every few days while in plague areas but the
effectiveness of flea-repellant collars has not been proven.
9.
If you hunt or trap rabbits or carnivorous wild animals such as coyotes
and bobcats, protect your hands and face while skinning or handling
these animals. Fresh pelts may be treated with flea powder.
10.
Bites from wild carnivores and from cats and dogs have caused human
plague. Such animals may be infected, carry the bacteria in their
mouths or may transport infective fleas.
11. Cats sometimes
exhibit swelling and sores around the mouth head and neck when
infected. Seek professional veterinarian care for such animals and do
not handle suspiciously sick pets without gloves and face protection.
12.
Remember the incubation period of 2-6 days and consult a physician if
sudden unexplained illness occurs within that period after activities
in the outdoors
For more information go to http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/Zoonosis/plague/.
