Just a couple weeks after a boy in Elmore County contracted Bubonic Plague, health officials are confirming another case, this time in a house cat.
The cat had recent contact with a rodent, which may have been a whistle pig. A veterinarian recognized the disease, began treatment and now the cat is recovering.
News of the most recent case comes shortly after Idaho's first human plague case in a quarter century. An Elmore County child got sick and recovered by taking antibiotics. It is unknown if he contracted the disease in Idaho or on a recent trip to Oregon, but doctors say the spread of plague is usually through a bite from an infected flea.
Some tips to help keep you safe.
- First, simply avoid the area if you can.
- If you do choose to go out to the desert, keep an eye on your pets and don't let them wander off.
- Wear protective clothing, especially covering your legs and feet.
- Use bug spray with DEET.
- Protect your pets with a flea dusting after a trip to the desert.
