LINCOLN COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) — The New Mexico Division of Well being reported its first human plague loss of life in New Mexico since 2020 this week.
A Lincoln County man died after he was hospitalized with the bacterial illness. Well being officers with the state say people ordinarily turn into contaminated via flea bites. These fleas in flip normally decide up the an infection from rodents.
“Signs of plague in people embrace sudden onset of fever, chills, headache and weak spot,” NMDOH defined. “Generally there’s a painful swelling of the lymph node within the groin, armpit or neck areas. Plague signs in cats and canine embrace fever, lethargy and lack of urge for food. There could also be a swelling within the lymph node below the jaw. “
NMDOH officers ask New Mexicans to train warning and warn that free-roaming cats and canine may result in infections in people.
More often than not if an contaminated particular person or pet receives medical consideration in time, the danger of loss of life is drastically diminished. There’s an antibiotic remedy for the plague.
“We lengthen our deepest sympathy to the household of the Lincoln County man who succumbed to plague,” mentioned State Public Well being Veterinarian Erin Phipps, DVM, MPH. “This tragic incident serves as a transparent reminder of the risk posed by this historical illness and emphasizes the necessity for heightened group consciousness and proactive measures to stop its unfold.”
NMDOH offered the next tricks to forestall contracting the plague:
- Keep away from sick or lifeless rodents and rabbits, and their nests and burrows.
- Forestall pets from roaming and searching.
- Speak to your veterinarian about utilizing an applicable flea management product in your pets as not all merchandise are protected for cats, canine or your kids.
- Have sick pets examined promptly by a veterinarian.
- See your physician about any unexplained sickness involving a sudden and extreme fever.
- Clear up areas close to the house the place rodents may stay, reminiscent of woodpiles, brush piles, junk and deserted autos.
- Put hay, wooden, and compost piles so far as doable from your house.
- Do not depart your pet’s meals and water the place rodents and wildlife can get to it.
