Plague Suspected In Death Of Man In Arizona ...

A wildlife biologist apparently died of the plague after performing an autopsy on a mountain lion in the Grand Canyon National Park area.

"The recent appearance of plague activity in two northern counties has us concerned that we may see plague in other areas as well."

Animal cases of plague in Arizona in 2007 include prairie dog colony die-offs in two separate neighbourhoods in Flagstaff in Coconino County, and a pet cat in Prescott in Yavapai County.

Arizona state health officials warned campers, hunters, hikers and others who live at 4,500 feet or higher or are visiting the area, to take the following precautions to avoid being exposed to the plague:

• Do not handle sick or dead animals.
• Don't go near rodent burrows.
• Avoid exposure to fleas.
• Stop your dog or cat from roaming as they can bring home plague infected fleas.
• Use flea control products on your dog or cat, ask your veterinarian about the best ones.
• Wear protective gloves when cleaining or skinning wild animals, for instance for cooking.
• If cooking game meat, do so at 180 degrees, until the juices run clear.
• If you get start getting symptoms like those listed above, within 6 days of a potential exposure, seek medical help at once.
• If your cat falls ill, get it checked by a veterinarian.

For more information call the Grand Canyon National Park Incident Information Center at (928) 638-7922 or (928) 638-7688.