State and local public health officials are investigating a possible case of plague in a La Plata County resident who died recently.
Colorado’s state lab is running tests to confirm the diagnosis of the disease, which is most often found in rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats and other animals, according to a news release from San Juan Basin Public Health.
It’s not unusual for plague to appear among wild rodents in Colorado during the summer. State public health officials warned in May that a squirrel in El Paso County had tested positive for the bacterial disease.
Last year, two people became infected with plague after exposure to sick animals and survived.
Plague can spread to humans via flea bites or direct contact with infected animals. Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, chills and weakness. It can be treated with antibiotics.
San Juan Basin Public Health was notified of the most recent potential case on Wednesday, according to the news release.
The agency said people can protect themselves by keeping pets up-to-date on vaccinations and on flea protections. People should also avoid handling or feeding wild animals.