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It can cause severe pneumonia and death in humans.
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Plague is spread through contact with infected animals, such as rats or mice. They include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes. Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which commonly infects wild rodents, including ground squirrels and chipmunks. It is possible that chipmunks can carry plague, a serious infection caused by bacteria. The infectious agent is naturally occuring throughout the. Chipmunks and squirrels have had the plague for decades around the lake, nothing new, said another Facebook user, responding to the latest story in the Tahoe Daily. For humans, symptoms can show up within two weeks of exposure to an infected animal. A flea taken from a yellow-pine chipmunk at Fallen Leaf Campground during routine testing in May tested positive for bubonic plague. Others mused that it seems ironic that, at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic seems destined to run on for two years, the bubonic plague can now be wiped out in four days. 3400 m) and is the most abundant diurnal mammal above 2500 m in the Spring Mountains (Deacon et al. Tamias palmeri occurs across at least three habitat types from near 2300 m to the timberline (ca. Plague is an infectious bacterial disease that tends to be spread by chipmunks, other wild rodents and their fleas. This chipmunk is a high elevation species endemic to the Spring Mountain range of southern Nevada (Best 1993). People hiking and doing other outdoor activities should avoid contact with animals. The Tahoe Daily Tribune reports that the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Kiva Beach and their parking areas will be off limits through Friday.ĭuring that time, the National Forest Service will be conducting vector control treatments to those areas.Įl Dorado County spokesperson Carla Hass said the chipmunks that were tested had no contact with any people.įorest Service officials expect the facilities to be open again by the weekend.Īccording to El Dorado County Public Health, plague is naturally present in some areas of California. Kiva Beach is set to reopen Friday, but if you feel a little scratchy after your visit, don't say we didn't warn you.SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Officials are closing some areas on the south shore of Lake Tahoe after some chipmunks tested positive for plague. "The Forest Service is working closely with our partners at the California Department of Public Health and we anticipate that these parking areas will reopen before Labor Day weekend," the U.S. Kiva Beach, its picnic area, Tallac Historic Area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center are closed as the area is treated for active plague, the California Department of Health told ABC7 News.ĪLSO: Video shows bears searching for food inside Lake Tahoe convenience store (KGO) - Fleas that have tested positive for "plague bacteria" have prompted several closures on the south side of Lake Tahoe ahead of Labor Day weekend. It is possible that chipmunks can carry plague, a serious infection caused by bacteria. They are common in parks and gardens, where they feed on insects and seeds. Fleas that have tested positive for "plague bacteria" have prompted several closures on the south side of Lake Tahoe ahead of Labor Day weekend. Do chipmunks carry plague Chipmunks are small rodents that live in North America.