Colorado Reports Two More Cases of Plague

REDLANDS, Colo. - A cat that made a meal out of a squirrel likely contracted the plague from its prey, health officials said Thursday.

The domestic cat and the white-tailed antelope squirrel both tested positive for plague this week, said Steve DeFeyter, director of environmental health for the Mesa County Health Department.

This new plague report comes a week after the plague was found in two chipmunks on Colorado National Monument, resulting in the closing of the Saddlehorn Campground.

It’s odd and “puzzling” to have plague activity this early in the year, DeFeyter said.

April is the earliest DeFeyter said he expected to see plague activity.

Rodents are usually in hibernation this time of year, he said.

Read the entire article.

Source: The Daily Sentinel