Bubonic plague at Lake Tahoe

[Laurie]

In case you're on your way there soon:

Bubonic plague warning issued in Lake Tahoe

The California Department of Public Health confirmed rodents in the area are carrying fleas infected with the plague.

www.nbc12.com

 

[controller1]

Another 2020 milestone! Are the locusts next?

 

[TravelTime]

Sounds like the plague is in South Lake Tahoe. North Tahoe is the way to go.

 

[PigsDad]

Actually, not that uncommon. Around here, we often get warnings about prairie dogs carrying the Bubonic Plague. I think it is common in the rodent family.

Kurt

 

[dougp26364]

This is just another case of never trust the media. I guess this makes for greater dramatic effect in a pandemic year, generating more clicks for advertising revenue. it’s nothing new and it isn’t news. Next they’ll be talking about how armadillos carry leprosy or that skunks carry rabies.

 

[Maple_Leaf]

This just in from Lake Tahoe...

 

[mjm1]

In case you're on your way there soon:

Bubonic plague warning issued in Lake Tahoe

The California Department of Public Health confirmed rodents in the area are carrying fleas infected with the plague.

www.nbc12.com

Thank you for sharing this. We are headed to Marriott’s Timber Lodge on the 15th for a few days. We won’t be hiking, but will still stay away from the Kiva Beach area.

One thought that came to mind is how would one know if a rodent is acting unusual? Alvin and the Chipmunks perhaps?

Best regards.

Mike

 

[DeniseM]

This is not click bait: there are outbreaks of the plague among Sierra rodents nearly every summer. And a woman in Tahoe actually got infected recently, and she was just walking her dog - however, if caught early, it's easily treated. This should not make you stay away from the Sierra's, but you should be cautious, especially if you have a dog or cat, or children who may be tempted to catch rodents. Sick rodents are slower and easier to catch.

 

[Laurie]

This is just another case of never trust the media. I guess this makes for greater dramatic effect in a pandemic year, generating more clicks for advertising revenue. it’s nothing new and it isn’t news. Next they’ll be talking about how armadillos carry leprosy or that skunks carry rabies.

Well, it is news is that a visitor center there is closed at this time, and folks on their way might want to know that. Just because there's lots of fake news out there doesn't mean anything that might sound like fake news actually is fake news. Plenty of things are happening these days that sound like fiction or sensationalism - but as some say, "you can't make this stuff up."

"A giant closed sign now covers up the entrance to the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center.... The U.S. Forest Service closed the area to apply insecticide to kill the infected fleas."

 

[Laurie]

Another 2020 milestone! Are the locusts next?

Not here, but elsewhere on the planet, yes!

Locusts Are A Plague Of Biblical Scope In 2020. Why? And ... What Are They Exactly?

They're swarming in gargantuan numbers in parts of Africa and South Asia — and posing a major threat to the food supply. If you have questions about these insects, we have answers.

www.npr.org

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Nothing new. This happens every year about this time. Usually contained. Need to be wary if camping on the ground but otherwise no big deal.

 

[DeniseM]

Here's a little more info about how it may be transmitted from rodents to humans. Nothing to panic about, but helpful to understand. BTW, the woman who contracted it in August, was treated with antibiotics in the hospital and made a complete recovery.

 

[dougp26364]

Well, it is news is that a visitor center there is closed at this time, and folks on their way might want to know that. Just because there's lots of fake news out there doesn't mean anything that might sound like fake news actually is fake news. Plenty of things are happening these days that sound like fiction or sensationalism - but as some say, "you can't make this stuff up."

"A giant closed sign now covers up the entrance to the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center.... The U.S. Forest Service closed the area to apply insecticide to kill the infected fleas."

Of course it’s real, just not as uncommon as one might think. The media uses the pandemic to dramatize a rather ordinary story. This is an ordinary story.

If only it crossed to humans and killed off, let’s say, half of LA, San Francisco, San Diego or Sacramento. Now that would be a story and might even knock CoVid off the 24/7 front page [redacted.] However, fleas on rodents with the plague is VERY old news. Centuries old news in fact. So old the plague has been we’ll contained in even the most back water holes on the planet.

 

[DeniseM]

This thread is not about the Coronavirus - let's keep it that way.

 

[DeniseM]

Laurie - We have a home in Nevada, and our yard is full of cute little rodents all the time. Although, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew about rodents and the plague, I really hadn't given it much thought. Finding out that a woman in Nevada was recently infected is a wake up call, and I will be more cautious in the future. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

 

[DannyTS]

boring

 

[exco]

"The California Department of Public Health confirmed rodents in the area are carrying fleas infected with the plague."
"People should be on the lookout for unusual things like a rodent acting unusual, or a rodent that is dead with no visual signs of trauma,” said Lisa Herron, U.S. Forest Service."

Which rodent from the following?
mice, rats, squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, chinchillas, porcupines, beavers, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and capybaras. Rabbits, hares, and pikas, ...etc.

 

[pedro47]

Good morning,
DeniseM has a new look, a new avatar and she is wearing a San Francisco baseball hat? LOL.
I liked it.

 

[TrvlwhnIcan]

In case you're on your way there soon:

Bubonic plague warning issued in Lake Tahoe

The California Department of Public Health confirmed rodents in the area are carrying fleas infected with the plague.

www.nbc12.com

Good information. It’s very common for chipmunks to come very close to people in heavily visited outdoor areas of Tahoe, such as popular trails and beaches. They have lost their shyness because people have fed them. I actually had one jump on my shoulder when I was seated at a picnic table on the beach at Emerald Bay. This is what you need to avoid because that’s when an infected flea can jump onto you. Unleashed dogs who chase down chipmunks and squirrels can also bring you infected fleas. As long as you keep a normal distance from the rodents, you are in no real danger of getting the plague. I don’t think the local media is trying to sensationalize anything. The campgrounds have had signs on the bathrooms about this for years. They just want to make sure everyone keeps away from the adorable and friendly little chipmunks. Tourists might not know better.