Two Arizona Counties Confirm Fleas Testing Positive for Plague

Submitted by a Redaer

“A sudden die-off of prairie dogs and rodents, may be an indicator of plague” –Navajo County PHS

Navajo County Public Health officials have confirmed that fleas collected in the Taylor area have tested positive for plague.

The Coconino County Public Health Services District confirmed last week that fleas found on prairie dogs in the Red Lake area had the disease.

The most common way for humans to contract the disease is through the disease-carrying fleas on their pets or rodents.

Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague. Plague is infamous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague. Without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death. Presently, human plague infections continue to occur in the western United States, but significantly more cases occur in parts of Africa and Asia. [CDC]

The last urban outbreak of rat-associated plague in the United States occurred in Los Angeles in 1924-1925.

The Coconino County Public Health Services District has identified fleas containing plague.

CCPHSD is urging… https://t.co/Qya39jF7LI

— Coconino County (@CoconinoCounty) August 3, 2017

 

Major AZ Wildfire Threatens Hundreds of Homes

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
DROUGHT
MAJOR WILDFIRES
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIO 101
.

Ferocious AZ wildfire forces evacuations, thousands more on pre-evacuation notice

The Slide Fire wildfire is burning in Oak Creek Canyon north of Slide Rock State Park, consuming about 6,000 acres.

“Closures include Highway 89A from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff and Forest Road 535 off Highway 89A. Power has been shut off by APS from Slide Rock, north through the canyon,” said fire officials.

Up to 3-mile stretch of area north of Slide Rock State Park has been evacuated, as well as the East Pocket Forest Service Lookout Tower. Evacuees are being relocated to Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff.

Fire behavior is said to be “extreme.”

Slide Fire (Oak Creek Canyon Overlook). Members of the Carson Hotshots and Mormon Lake Hotshots coordinate retardant drops on the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon. The helicopter can be seen in the background making its drop. Taken on 5/22/14 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.

Additional Evacuations: Coconino County has issued a pre-evacuation notices to residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands subdivisions, advising thousands of residents to be prepared to evacuate at  short notice. “County Emergency Management encourages those in the affected neighborhoods to begin packing important items they may need for several days. These items include prescriptions, important papers, any special dietary needs and pets.”

Current Resources: Some 840 personnel including 15 hotshot crews, 33 engines, three air tankers, five helicopters, two air attack, and other resources have so far been deployed.

Other Large, Active Fires in Arizona

• Skunk Fire Wildfire,  38,259 acres, 27 miles east of San Carlos, burning since April 19, 2014.

• Barlow Fire Wildfire, 1,482 5 acres, 30 miles east of San Carlos, burning since May 17.