Author: Kurt Treftz, Cascade Pest Control
The recent headline of a case of plague contracted in California reminds us that plague isn’t entirely eradicated. According to the Washington State Department of Health, continuous monitoring of plague in wildlife populations has been ongoing since the 1970s. Managing rodent populations and pest control are positive steps you can take to keep plague at bay.
History of the Plague
The history of the plague is grim and conjures up images of mass death, suffering, and fear. One of the most infamous outbreaks of the plague resulted in the loss of nearly two-thirds of the European population in the 14th century. The fleas and rats contributed to the spread of the “black death”, bacterium Yersinia pestis. It traveled along the trade routes from Asia and infected humans with fever, chills, headache, weakness, and eventually death.
In more recent history, the plague was brought to the Puget Sound region through shipping ports. In 1907, Leung Sheng was the first Seattle resident to die of the plague. The disease, carried by fleas, spread from urban areas to native wildlife, where it has become endemic to the area. Throughout the twentieth century, plague was discovered in rat samples in both Tacoma and Seattle.
Routine surveillance of carnivores in the wild (like coyotes and bobcats) started in the mid-1970s. Although they occasionally find a positive specimen, most are in the eastern part of the state and at higher elevations. That last positive plague report in carnivores was a coyote in Grant County in 2002.
Threat of Plague in Washington
- The Washington State Department of Health estimates that there are between 5-15 cases of plague per year in the western United States.
- The Department of Health projects a 1 in 7 chance of dying. The most recent case of the plague in Washington occurred in 1984, involving a Yakima man.
- Almost all cases of the plague are contracted in wilderness areas and involve exposure to infected rodents or fleas.
- Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and muscle weakness. If not treated, the infection can become systemic and result in bleeding into the skin and organs, tissue death, and eventually death.
- Treatment with antibiotics is highly effective in combating the infection. If treated promptly, patients will likely make a full recovery. However, the symptoms can progress rapidly, so seek medical treatment early.
Avoiding the Plague in the Greater Seattle Area
- Because plague is primarily spread through fleas hitching a ride on rodents, rodent control is of utmost importance throughout the state.
- State authorities maintain vigilance through monitoring and reporting to stay ahead of any outbreaks.
- Health authorities advise caution when hiking or camping. Avoid contact with wild rodents, protect yourself and your pets from fleas, and seek prompt medical attention if you experience fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes after possible exposure.
- While human plague infections are rare, take steps to prevent rodents near your home. Call Cascade Pest Control for your rodent exclusion needs.
