Plague case in cat reported in Taos

TAOS, N.M. (KRQE) - The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting a case of plague in a cat that lives in the city of Taos.

Officials think the cat was most likely infected when hunting rodents and prairie dogs in Sunset Park near the intersection of Valverde Street and Town Hall Drive.

A second cat from the same area was brought into a local veterinarian this week with signs consistent with plague. The owners of the property are being encouraged to place warning signs along the perimeter of the field.

“Plague cases in pets serve as a warning that there is plague activity in rabbits, rodents and their fleas in the area,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Catherine Torres. “I encourage everyone to follow simple prevention recommendations to keep themselves, their families and pets safe.”

Plague, a bacterial disease of rodents, is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, rabbits, and pets.

Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness.

In most cases, there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck areas. Plague symptoms in cats and dogs are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. There may be a swelling in the lymph node under the jaw. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate in people and pets can be greatly reduced.

To prevent plague, the Department of Health recommends:

• Avoid sick or dead rodents and rabbits, and their nests and burrows.
• Keep your pets from roaming and hunting and talk to your veterinarian about using an appropriate flea control product.
• Clean up areas near the house where rodents could live, such as woodpiles, brush piles, junk and abandoned vehicles.
• Sick pets should be examined promptly by a veterinarian.
• See your doctor about any unexplained illness involving a sudden and severe fever.
• Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home.
• Don’t leave your pet’s food and water where mice can get to it.

In New Mexico, there has been one human case of plague in 2012 in a 78-year-old man from Torrance County who survived.

There were two human cases of plague in 2011, both from Santa Fe County, no human cases in 2010 and six human cases of plague in 2009: three from Santa Fe County, two from Bernalillo County and one from Sandoval County.

One of the Santa Fe County cases was a fatal case in an 8-year-old boy.