<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><head><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:OfficeDocumentSettings><o:AllowPNG/><o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch></o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--></head><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:13px"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8000"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8061" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.eastidahonews.com/2018/06/idaho-child-diagnosed-with-plague/" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8114">https://www.eastidahonews.com/2018/06/idaho-child-diagnosed-with-plague/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8112"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8178">ELMORE COUNTY – A child in Elmore County is recovering from plague in
the first human case of the bacterial disease in Idaho since 1992.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8179">Central
District Health Department epidemiologists say it is not known whether
the child was exposed to plague in Idaho or during a recent trip to
Oregon. </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8180">Since 1940, only five human cases of plague have been
reported in the Gem State. The last two reported cases occurred in 1991
and 1992, with both patients fully recovering.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8181">Plague has been
found in wildlife in many western states. Humans usually get the
disease after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague
bacterium. It can also be contracted by handling an animal infected with
plague. </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8182">Plague is infamous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, modern antibiotics are effective in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/plague/index.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8183">treating plague</a> but without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death. </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8184">Epidemiologists
say this case serves as a reminder that plague is dangerous to people
and pets, but the disease should not enourage recreationists from
enjoying the Idaho outdoors. </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8185">People can greatly reduce their
risk of becoming infected with plague by taking simple precautions,
including avoiding contact with wild rodents, their fleas and rodent
carcasses. </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8186">Health officials recommend:</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8187">– Do not feed rodents in picnic or campground areas and never handle sick or dead rodents.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8188">– Keep your pets from roaming and hunting ground squirrels or other rodents in affected desert areas.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8189">–
Talk to your veterinarian about using an appropriate flea control
product on pets as not all products are safe for cats, dogs or children.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8190">– Sick pets should be examined promptly by a veterinarian, especially if they may have had contact with sick or dead rodents.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8191">– See your doctor if you have any unexplained illness involving a sudden and severe fever after being in a plague-endemic area.</div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8192">–
Clean up areas near your home where rodents can live, such as
woodpiles, and put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as away as
possible.</div> <div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8193">– Don’t leave pet food and water where rodents or other wild animals can access them.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8351"><br></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8352"><br></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8355">Ken</div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8357"><br></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8337"><br></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1528898726597_8339"><br></div></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br>
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