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Plague Fears Close California Campground

Squirrel tests positive, raising fears of outbreak

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2010 1:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – A campground northeast of Los Angeles will be closed until at least next week after a squirrel tested positive for plague, the LA Times reports. Officials are dusting squirrel burrows in the surrounding national forest in an attempt to kill fleas, which can transmit the disease to humans."It is important for the public to know that there have only been four cases of human plague in Los Angeles County since 1984, none of which are fatal," said the county's public health director.

Los Alamos Campground in a national forest in southern California is closed after a squirrel tested positive for plague.
Los Alamos Campground in a national forest in southern California is closed after a squirrel tested positive for plague.   (?*~Dawn~*)
A California ground squirrel has tested positive for plague, leading officials to close a campground near Los Angeles.
A California ground squirrel has tested positive for plague, leading officials to close a campground near Los Angeles.   (?Franco Folini)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
hisvoice
Jul 7, 2010 9:36 PM CDT
This could be another sneaky manifestation of Lyme Disease which is carried by fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, etc. Washington just might have to finally get the lead out and get busy with some serious testing. Lyme Disease is the numbe one fastest growing infectious disease in the country. It is a hidden epidemic and a political disease!!! Protect yourselves and your children/grandchildren/pets!
schmidtkoff
Jul 6, 2010 9:55 AM CDT
boccaccio's the decameron is a really good read on the plague in the 1300's. of course same could non happen (could it?) in 2010.
Riffran
Jul 6, 2010 1:40 AM CDT
Plague (most likely Bubonic) ...easy to handle with modern meds...Hanta Virus .on the otherhand, which also has a rodent vector, has a roughly 62% lethality...Either way, lets hope it stays contained
 

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