Colorado health department urges caution after Montezuma County resident infected with plague

An adult in Montezuma County has gotten sick with plague, and health officials are urging everyone to avoid exposure to fleas and rodents.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment didn’t release any details about the person or their condition. The person likely was exposed on private property, so there’s no specific area that hikers and campers should avoid at this point, the department said.

The initial symptoms of plague are similar to flu, though some people develop hard, swollen lymph nodes. Because the disease escalates so quickly, people with flu-like symptoms who were exposed to rodents or fleas should seek care immediately, the department said. Antibiotic treatment is most likely to be successful if given early.

To avoid exposure to plague:

• Give your pets flea-prevention treatment, and don’t let them near wild animals. Seek veterinary treatment if your pet has a high fever, swollen lymph nodes or an open sore.

• Avoid areas where rodents live. If you must go in, wear insect repellant and tuck your pants into your socks.

• Never touch or feed wild animals, including squirrels

• Get rid of sources of food that might attract rodents to your home

• Notify your county health department if you notice dead rodents

• While prairie dogs are particularly susceptible to plague, the health department advised people not to kill them, because doing so could increase the risk of disease transmission

Plague infections typically peak over the summer. Colorado recorded 72 cases from 2005 to 2021, including 11 deaths.