Six ground squirrels test positive for plague

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN — Blood samples collected from six out of seven ground squirrels at the Doane Valley Campground on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for the plague, County Vector Control officials announced last Thursday.

“In July of this year, another ground squirrel in this same vicinity tested positive for plague,” said Gary Erbeck, director of the Department of Environmental Health. “The good news is that we have taken preventative measures since July, such as placing flea dusting stations for the squirrels after the first squirrel tested positive. The six current squirrels that tested positive did not have any fleas on them. Fleas are the vector that transmits plague to humans.”

Plague is a bacterial disease found in wild rodents and can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas. Currently, there have been no locally acquired human cases of plague reported in San Diego County.

Flea populations are monitored, and control measures are taken as necessary at this campground, and others, to reduce the potential for human exposure.

Plague warning signs are posted in all areas where plague has been confirmed. Educational pamphlets are also available at the Ranger’s Station. Visitors, hikers and campers in rural mountain areas should look for these signs and always follow these precautions to prevent contact with the fleas:

• Avoid contact with ground squirrels, chipmunks and other wild animals.

• Do not feed, touch or handle wild animals.

• Do not rest, camp or sleep near animal burrows in the ground.

• Protect pets by keeping them on a leash, using flea control or, best of all, leaving pets at home.

• Contact your doctor immediately if you become ill within one week of visiting a known plague area. Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, chills and tender swollen lymph nodes.

• Do not touch sick or dead animals; please report them to Vector Control.

For more information about plague surveillance, call County Vector Control at (858) 694-2888 or visit http://www.SDVector.com.