Bubonic plague has returned to Boulder County, Co

People using open space areas near Boulder's southeastern border might consider keeping their pets on a shorter leash - and tucking their pants into their socks - for the remainder of the summer. Bubonic plague has returned to Boulder County, public health officials announced after fleas collected from the city of Boulder's Marshall open space property, northeast of the intersection of South Boulder and Cherryvale roads, last week tested positive for the disease. The flea samples were collected from a deserted prairie dog colony on the property, officials say. It is the first confirmed case of plague in Boulder County since 2011. The threat of spreading the disease has not been deemed serious enough to close the open space, but county health officials are urging people to protect themselves. "The fleas don't travel large distances, so it's nothing we're seeing spread or becoming an epidemic. It's confined to that one area," said Lane Drager, consumer protection coordinator for Boulder County Public Health. "But if pets are going into these areas, they are risking exposure for themselves and for those pet owners." The plague can causes symptoms including high fever, extreme fatigue and painful, swollen lymph nodes.

[link to hisz.rsoe.hu]