Chipmunks And Squirrels Can Carry The Plague
If you have never heard of the plague before, then you must gain at least a basic understanding of European history. A few centuries ago, an epidemic disease that is now known as the plague ravaged Europe. Unfortunately, it turns out that both squirrels as well as chipmunks can carry this disease. The plague is a bacterial disease that is spread to humans via contact with furry animals, most notably rats.
The plague has not been eradicated as many mammals that are alive now carry the disease. The plague does not wipe out whole populations of people like it did in the past. In fact, dying from the plague today is highly unlikely, as there now exists medicinal methods of ridding the disease from the human body. However, that does not mean that you should not be cautious around the many different types of mammalian wildlife that you encounter wile outdoors.
The California Department of Public Health monitors rodent populations for plague activity. Not long ago, health department officials found three chipmunks in the southern region of Lake Tahoe, and just a few days after later, two more plague-ridden chipmunks were found in a nearby area. Luckily, no human casualties were reported. However, when you are outdoors you should take preventative measures to ensure that you never contract this unpleasant bacterial disease.
For example, in order to make sure that you stay plague-free, experts recommend that people avoid touching or making any sort of contact with dead or injured rodents, especially chipmunks and squirrels. For some people, mainly animal-lovers, this can be difficult, as some animals may seem as though they need our help. For instance, if you find an injured furry mammal on the side of the road then you do not want to nurse it back to health as you could be risking your health. Instead, if you find an animal that appears to be in need of help, then notify your local animal control service as soon as possible.
Have you ever known a person living today that had contracted the disease referred to as “the plague”?
