Plague

Description

Yersinia pestis bacteria transmitted by fleas and/or exposure to tissues or body fluids from diseased animals
Location

Southwestern part of the United States
Cause

Acute disease from getting bitten by an infected flea
Symptoms


High fever, headache, muscle aches, lethargy. Sudden onset of fever and chills followed by swollen and painful lymph nodes in the armpits, groin and other areas two to six days following exposure.
Could also lead to primary plague pneumonia.

Treatment

Seek medical attention from a physician
Prevention

Spray skin with insect repellents
Treat field clothes with permethrin
Other Facts

Animal hosts include prairie dogs, rabbits, hares, carnivores and wild ungulates
284 cases were reported between 1970–90, 50 percent of which were reported in New Mexico