Death linked to plague in Colorado, health officials say. Here’s what to know

Paloma Chavez
Hush Naidoo Jade Photography/Unsplash

A death in Colorado has been linked to a case of the plague, health officials said.

Laboratory tests confirmed the death of an Archuleta County resident was associated with the plague, according to a Sept. 25 news release from the San Juan Basin Public Health.

The health department said the “disease is very rare” but the public should be informed on what precautions to take in regards to people’s interactions with animals.

Although treatable, the plague is caused by a bacteria called yersinia pestis that can be given to people after getting bitten by infected fleas or having direct contact with infected animals, officials said.

Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and a high fever, officials said.

Animals that frequently have plague, per the health department, include:

  • Rock squirrels

  • Prairie dogs

  • Woodrats

  • Chipmunks

No details about the person or how they became infected were released by the health department.

Ways to avoid getting infected:

  • Wearing repellent and appropriate clothing when outside

  • Keeping pets up to date with vaccinations

  • Avoiding sleeping next to your pet

  • Not feeding or handling wild animals

  • Not handling dead animals

  • Staying out of areas where rodents live

  • Treating known rodent sites around your house

  • Contacting your vet if your pet gets a high fever and open sores or swollen lymph nodes, per the health department.

The bacteria that causes plague occurs in rural and semi-rural areas of the western United States and is usually in grasslands where rodents live, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cases of plague can be treated with antibiotics and infected people are asked to seek medical attention as soon as possible for a better chance of a full recovery, according to the CDC.

San Juan Basin Public Health asks the public to report any active colonies of prairie dogs, officials said. Health officials said to not kill the prairie dogs as this can increase the “risk of exposure to plague-infested fleas.”

The case of the plague death remains under investigation.

Archuleta County is about 280 miles southwest of Denver.

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