Plague

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Transmission
Symptoms and Treatment
Prevention
Plague Detections in San Diego County
Additional Information

About Plague

The Vector Control Program routinely collects and tests fleas and blood samples from squirrels in our local mountains and campgrounds. If tests come back positive for plague, park rangers are notified and squirrel burrows may be treated for fleas. Warning signs are posted to inform the public on how to avoid fleas and protect themselves and their pets.

Transmission

Plague can be transmitted to people and animals by:

Bites from infected fleas - Hungry fleas will leave a sick or dead rodent to find new blood meals.

Direct contact with sick or dead animals - Plague bacteria in the blood, urine, or saliva of an infected animal can enter cuts and abrasions.

Pet involvement - Infected rodent fleas can be brought into a home or campsite by a dog or cat. Plague pneumonia can be transmitted by a sick cat that is coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms and Treatment

The early symptoms of plague usually appear two to six days after exposure. These include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, and weakness.

Three forms of plague are known:

Bubonic plague: The most common form. It is characterized by swollen and tender lymph nodes (called    "buboes") in the groin, neck, or armpit.

Septicemic plague: Plague bacteria infect the bloodstream, causing high fever, fatigue, weakness, and bleeding    disorders.

Pneumonic plague: An infection of the lungs that can follow bubonic or septicemic plague, or occur directly from inhalation of plague bacteria. Patients with pneumonic plague have difficulty breathing, develop a cough, and may spit up blood-tinged saliva.

Plague is a very serious illness but treatable with antibiotics. The earlier a patient seeks medical care and receives treatment, the better their chances are of a full recovery.

If you have symptoms like those listed here, seek immediate medical attention. Prompt treatment with the correct medications is critical to prevent complications or death.

Pets can also become sick from plague. An animal with plague will become very ill, may stop eating and will have a fever. Swollen lymph glands may occur, generally in the neck area.

Inform your veterinarian if a pet becomes sick following a visit to a plague area. 

Prevention

When visiting, hiking, camping, or living in areas where plague occurs,  avoid contact with wild rodents and their fleas. 

• Avoid known plague areas.
• Avoid contact with wild animals and their fleas, especially sick or dead rodents.
• Report sick or dead animals to park rangers or the Vector Control Program.
• Use flea control products on pets.
• Use caution when handling a sick pet that has been in a plague area.
• Avoid face-to-face contact with sick pets or sick humans.
• Contact a doctor right away if you become ill within 7 days of being in a plague area.

Response

Plague Detections in San Diego County

*Total includes the re-capture of a previously tested animal

Additional Information

Information about Fleas
CDC Information on Plague
California Department of Public Health Information on Plague
Plague Fact Sheet (CDPH)

Questions?

  (858) 694-2888

  vector@sdcounty.ca.gov

Rodent Flea photo by Olha Schedrina / The Natural History Museum