Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sandoval County Has Plague Case


Journal Staff Report
      An 83-year-old Sandoval County woman was confirmed Wednesday as the state's fourth human case of plague, the New Mexico Department of Health reported.
       The woman was hospitalized but now is recovering at home, the agency said in a written statement.
       Earlier this month, the department reported three cases from Santa Fe County, including an 8-year-old boy who died. The boy's 10-year-old sister has recovered and a 56-year-old man also has recovered.
       Health officials are investigating the Sandoval County woman's residence to determine if it poses a health risk. The agency also is educating her neighbors about plague.
       Health officials also confirmed a plague case in a rock squirrel from the east side of Santa Fe and from a dog south of Santa Fe near state Highway 14.
       Plague is a bacterial disease carried by rodents and spread to humans by fleas. Dead rodents should either be buried in the ground using a long shovel or double bagged and thrown away in the garbage to prevent exposure to pets and children, health officials said.
       

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