Bubonic Plague Warning Signs Posted Around Lake Tahoe

A giant closed sign is now hanged over the entrance of Lake Tahoe Visitor Center after fleas were tested positive for bubonic plague in certain parts of South Lake Tahoe.

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

A woman who was walking her dog in August likely contracted the plague. The El Dorado County Department of Public Health reported that the woman has responded well to antibiotic treatment and has been released from the hospital. According to KGO, this is the first case of the plague reported in five years. 

Federal wildlife officials had to close down several areas for the treatment procedures. U.S. Forest Service applied insecticide to kill the infected fleas.

SIgns reading "plague warning," "plague mitigation" and "closed due to bubonic plague in the are," are now seen around Lake Tahoe.

Kiva Beach picnic area, Tallac Historic Area, and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center are all closed for treatment of active plague ahead of the Labor Day Weekend.

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Visitors are no longer allowed to park in the area due to the roadblocks surrounding it.

According to Jeff Morales, a three decade long resident in Lake Tahoe, he has never seen this type of plague prevention. 

Lisa Herron, U.S. Forest Service, said that some signs that people should be on the lookout for are rodents acting unusual, or a dead rodent with no visual signs of trauma.

Forest Service officials reported that bubonic plague is naturally occurring in many parts of California and can be transmitted through the bite of an infected flea.

The area is set to reopen on Friday, U.S. Forest Service issued recommendations to avoid getting the plague. People should stay on the trails and keep pets on short leashes. Forest Service officials also reminded people to maintain social distance from any rodent burrows that you may across. 

This is the second plague scare to occur near Tahoe in less than a month's time.

What is the Bubonic Plague?

The plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis), once called the Black Death, usually exists in enzootic cycles of rodents and their fleas, and spread through their bites. This is treatable with antibiotics if detected early, recovery usually happens within a week or two, however it can be rapidly fatal if appropriate antimicrobial therapy is not initiated during the early phase of the illness.

Common signs and symptoms include fever, chills, muscle soreness, and swollen lymph nodes that develop between two to seven days after exposure. As there is no vaccine for the plague, if you suspect that you have come across any plague-infested creatures, or been around someone who has the plague, consult your physician immediately. Your doctor may perform tests on blood, spit, or fluid from your lymph nodes to check for the presence of the bacteria. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about seven people every year test positive for the disease on average.

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