Plague discovered in 6 Colorado counties after 10-year-old dies

[IcyPeas]

CDPHE said that plague is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted to humans by the bites of infected fleas or by direct contact with infected animals.

If detected early in infection, plague is treatable in both people and pets. Symptoms include the sudden on-set of high fever and/or swollen lymph nodes, according to CDPHE.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/plague-discovered-in-6-colorado-counties-after-10-year-old-dies/

[ItsjustMe]

1. Plague confirmed in six Colorado counties leaving one girl dead

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016297580

[Initech]

2. Come on, 2021! You were supposed to be better than 2020!

[Scrivener7]

3. Because of course it is. It's the 2020s.

I know it is always in the US in small levels, but it's usually in the southwest. Colorado is weird. Though they say in the article it's expected to find plague fleas there in the summer.

[Chainfire]

4. Ring around the rosies, pocket full of posies

Waiting for the Republicans to spin it as a Biden policy.

[roamer65]

5. ...

[3Hotdogs]

6. There is a Prairie Dog village outside of Badlands National Park. Sign says (2017) probably

does.

Keep out. Plague has been found among the animals.


Of course, master photographers with cell phones are walking among the animals.

[Tadpole Raisin]

7. Just checked and

Found 1-17 cases are found in the US/year but that seems like a bit of a cluster.

If someone starts talking about locusts I’m picking up my toys and going home.

Oh, wait….

[vercetti2021]

8. Earth is working overtime

She wants us off and quickly

[Crunchy Frog]

14. This is nothing new. It's been endemic among CO prairie dogs for a very long time.

Maybe the state needs to do a better job of informing people, as your not likely to know about it if you're not from the state.

But this happens from time to time, and it's not an indication that the End Times are here.

[jeffreyi]

17. Thank you.

[Faux pas]

9. Whoa!

Isn't this what the "others" on earth 2 would call the end times? Looks like they're getting their prayers answered.

[Crunchy Frog]

15. No.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15655452

[dixiechiken1]

10. When 2021 turns to 2020 and says, " Hold my beer..."

[MontanaMama]

11. I took part in several vaccination studies

in the late 90’s and early 2000. The studies I specifically recall were bird flu, swine flu and bubonic plague. After each study was complete, we were told if we received the actual vaccine or the placebo. I did actually receive the vax for the plague!

[Tadpole Raisin]

16. Wow!

No follow up? Titers to see antibodies?

Years ago I received the 2 or 3 series of rabies vaccinations. Not looking to confirm it works though!

[MontanaMama]

20. Yes there were follow ups...

For a year or two after each vaccination…if we received the actual vaccine. It was a fascinating process. And, no…you don’t want to test that rabies vaccine.

[Meowmee]

23. You can be tested

For antibodies to rabies which you should have if vaxed. If you were ever to be exposed, I sincerely hope not, you will be given treatment anyway which includes the vaccine series on varying levels depending on past vaccination status as well as direct treatment to the bite wound with human rabies immune globulin which is not usually given to previously vaccinated people. It is given also even without a bite wound to un vaxed people before then giving the vaccine series.

[Aristus]

12. The good news in all this is that Yersinia pestis, the Plague, is actually easily treatable.

Despite it's horrible reputation dating from the 14th Century, before antimicrobials, it's actually a wimp of a bacterium. I like to joke that you can kill Y. pestis just by waving a bottle of doxycycline at it from across the room.

The downside is, it's incredible virulent and easily transmissible. And in a time and place in which people ignore science and public health protocols because "Freedumb!", it could spread quickly and kill those who refuse medical care because it means "living in fear".

They took a stab at creating a vaccine for it. But it wasn't very effective and came with intolerable side effects, and was quickly withdrawn.

[Crunchy Frog]

13. It's endemic in Colorado, especially amongst the prairie dog population.

I once had to explain this to a coworker who was from Poland, after she told me that her 10 year old was trying to catch one for a pet.

You won't get plague if you exercise a reasonable level of common sense.

If you've had a potential exposure and you start to feel sick, see a doctor ASAP. It can be treated pretty easily with antibiotics if it's caught early enough.

[misanthrope]

19. Common sense like realizing wild animals frequently make poor pets?

Human arrogance knows no bounds.

[Wounded Bear]

24. Forgivable in a child, not so much in a parent who allows such shit...nt

[FakeNoose]

18. They aren't saying which counties in Colorado

Is this anywhere near Denver? I hope not, but it's scary wherever this is happening.
Fleas carry plague AND fleas bite humans.

[Crunchy Frog]

21. As long as you maintain a healthy distance from prairie dogs, you should be fine.

Fleas carrying plague are not really a thing in American cities these days.

If it were to become a thing, we would find out very quickly.

[IcyPeas]

22. The other counties are:

A spokesperson for CDPHE said the other five counties where plague was detected are: San Miguel, El Paso, Boulder, Huerfano and Adams.

(In the above linked article)

[Solly Mack]

25. Happened when I lived in Colorado Springs. Was told it was common.

Just to maintain distance from prairie dogs/squirrels, stray animals, etc..

Garden of the Gods was closed because of it for a couple of weeks.

Very sad that someone died.