PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV) – Public Well being Officers are investigating a human plague case in Pueblo County.The Pueblo Division of Public Well being and Surroundings and the Colorado Division of Public Well being and Surroundings are investigating a human case of plague primarily based on preliminary check outcomes.Well being officers stated the plague bacterium could be transmitted by fleas and wild rodents. Plague happens naturally, and it could have an effect on people and their pets. Frequent methods to draw the plague are via contaminated flea bites, touching contaminated animals (prairie canines, squirrels, rats, and rabbits), and inhaling droplets from the cough of an contaminated individual or animal.Frequent signs of plague embrace sudden fever and chills, extreme complications, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and feeling in poor health. Well being officers stated plague could be handled efficiently with antibiotics, however an contaminated individual should be handled rapidly to keep away from critical issues or demise.Frequent types of plague embrace bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague, although as of Wednesday at 4 p.m., well being officers didn’t specify which type the case in Pueblo County was.Well being officers listed some methods for individuals to guard themselves and their pets from the plague:Get rid of locations the place rodents can cover and breed round your private home, storage, shed, or recreation space. Take away brush, rock piles, trash, and piles of lumber.Keep away from contact with useless animals. In the event you should deal with sick or useless animals observe these pointers. First, placed on an insect repellant to guard your self from fleas. Then use a long-handled shovel to put it in a rubbish bag. Lastly, place the bag in an outside rubbish can.Use insect repellent that accommodates 20%-30% DEET to forestall flea bites. Deal with pants, socks, shoe tops, arms, and legs.Don’t let pets sleep in mattress with you.Deal with canines and cats for fleas frequently. Flea collars haven’t been confirmed efficient.Don’t permit pets to hunt or roam in rodent areas, similar to prairie canine colonies.Hold pet meals in rodent-proof containers.Copyright 2024 KKTV. All rights reserved.