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Could Your Cat Give You the Plague?

In the United States, there are a mean of seven human cases per yr, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 80 p.c of these circumstances are the bubonic type of the illness.

The illness is commonest in rural, Western areas, particularly in components of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon. In these locations, the micro organism can flow into in prairie canines, floor squirrels, chipmunks, wooden rats, and different animals.

Globally, 1,000 to 2,000 circumstances are reported annually, in line with the C.D.C.

Cats may be contaminated after they ingest contaminated rodents or are bitten by the fleas related to these rodents. Since 1977, 407 cats in New Mexico have been recognized with the plague, Dr. Phipps mentioned. “Pets that hunt are one of the highest risk groups,” she added. “Cats are very susceptible to plague, and it can be fatal to them.”

As is the case in people, contaminated cats could make a full restoration if the illness is caught early. But as a result of the signs resemble these of many different sicknesses, prognosis may be tough. Infected cats might develop a fever, change into torpid and lose their appetites. Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck space, are additionally widespread.

Dogs can be contaminated, however they don’t are likely to change into as sick as cats do.

“It’s a pretty minimal risk that you will get plague from your cat,” Dr. Lathrop mentioned.


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