Residents of Denver: Do Not Eat Squirrels. Repeat: Do Not Eat Squirrels.

[BurtWorm]

Until further notice.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052200412.html?tid=informbox


Monkey Dies From Plague at Denver Zoo

By ERIC W. BOLIN
The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 22, 2007; 7:17 AM

DENVER -- A capuchin monkey at the Denver Zoo has died of plague and officials are trying to prevent an epidemic by isolating the primates and treating them with antibiotics.

Zoo officials learned late Friday that the 8-year-old animal that died Wednesday tested positive for the flea-borne disease, according to a zoo statement.

More than a dozen squirrels and at least one rabbit have been found dead of plague in the City Park area just east of downtown, which includes a golf course, the zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature of Science.

The monkey, which was acting lethargic, was found dead by a zookeeper. Zoo veterinarian Dr. David Kenny suspects the primate ate the carcass of an infected dead squirrel.

Plague is common in Colorado during this time of year, but it usually occurs in rural parts of the state, where it's sometimes discovered when entire prairie dog colonies die off.

"We see it every year in wild rodents," said state health department epidemiologist John Pape. "But it's uncommon circulating in tree squirrels in urban neighborhoods, including metro Denver."

[DS1]

1. Nice.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Good thing these bubonic squirrels aren't in Kentucky--the folks

in the hollers would get mighty sick.

[ThomWV]

3. You don't get it from eating the infected host

bit by the fleas, inhaling air contained with the feces of the fleas too, but not eating the host - something that probably doesn't happen all that often to Denver Zoo squirrels.

Of course to eat one you'd have to clean it and that is where the fleas would get you.

[soothsayer]

4. squirrel is supposed to be really, really tasty. I reckon you'd have

to have quite a few of them for stew, but they're supposed to be good.

[SteveM]

7. They are! Pan-fry them, as you would chicken (only better and faster).

[BurtWorm]

8. Just make sure the fleas are off them before you pop them in your mouth.

:patriot:

This has been a public service message from Burt Worm.

PS: Always practice safe squirrel.

[TZ]

9. I kenw someone who swore that squirrel pot pie was delicious

I always wondered if he was pulling my leg

[momster]

5. Unless Dinner Was Already Infected

If you ate one that had already been exposed, I think you'd probably wind up with the disease. The monkey that died at the Denver Zoo ate an infected squirrel.

All it takes is one case of pneumatic plague (spread by droplets instead of bites)in someone who travels by public transportation or goes to a mall and it's a big, bad deal.

[StClone]

6. Two more to go

1 BUSH
2 WAR
3 $4.00 GAS
4 GlOBAL WARMING
5 BUBONIC PLAGUE
6 ?
7 ?