AR-News: (U.S. - N.M.) cats & plague

[Mary Finelli]

>From the May 3rd AnimalNet:


PLAGUE, CATS - USA (NM)
ProMED-mail, April 30, 2004
http://www.promedmail.org
Source:Associated Press [edited]
http: //kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=10501&cat=4HEALTH>


The New Mexico State Department of Health has confirmed plague infections in 
2 Santa Fe County cats, and the agency says several people exposed to the 
sick cats will be given antibiotics to prevent them from contracting the 
plague.

Plague is generally transmitted to people through the bites of infected 
fleas from rodents. The disease also can be transmitted by direct contact 
with infected animals -- including rodents, wildlife, and pets. Symptoms of 
bubonic plague in humans include fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills and 
sometimes headache, vomiting and diarrhea. Health officials urge people to 
regularly use flea control products on their pets.

[Although endemic in rodent populations the western United States, Plague is 
most commonly seen in 2 regions: firstly, northern New Mexico, northern 
Arizona, and southern Colorado and, secondly, California, southern Oregon, 
and western Nevada (see ) for a map.

When sylvatic outbreaks occur in rodent populations, domestic cats can be 
infected by fleas on the rodents or by direct contact with infected rodent 
tissues as they chomp on squirrels or other rodents. The incubation period 
in cats may be short, a day or 2, and marked by a fever of up to 41.5 C and 
lymphadenopathy. Typical buboes often occur in the head and neck, which can 
be mistaken for cat fight abscesses. Dogs are considered to be less 
susceptible.

The report above mentions bubonic plague, which is of zoonotic concern, as 
individuals may contract disease from either infected fleas or contact with 
purulent discharges or blood from the cat. An even greater threat occurs 
when the disease in cats progresses to pneumonic plague. This has been 
documented in cats, including transmission to veterinarians and owners.

Antibiotic treatment is effective in cats, but the threat of plague is only 
one of many reasons that people should keep their pets free of fleas. - 
Mod.PC]

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