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2020 man…

Adding on to the insanity that is 2020, a squirrel in Morrison, Colorado has just tested positive for the bubonic plague, which definitely isn’t good.

One of the main concerns here is that people can contract the plague in numerous ways, from a bite from infected fleas as well as coughs or bites from something that has the illness or through the blood of an infected animal. Domesticated cats are also at a high risk of catching the plague, specifically because of the interactions they have with rodents and fleas. Thus, owners of these cats are more likely to contract the plague & transmit it to others in turn.

“All pet owners who live close to wild animal populations, such as prairie dog colonies or other known wildlife habitats, should consult their veterinarian about flea control for their pets to help prevent the transfer of fleas to humans,” a statement released by the Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) said.

“Symptoms of plague may include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes, occurring within two to seven days after exposure,” the statement continued. “Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a physician.”

Even if you catch the plague though you should still be alright, as although it once killed 35 million people from 1346-1353, modern medicine has helped to essentially neutralise its danger. According to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention), a full round of meds can cure a person with the plague in around a day. Additionally, there are only around seven confirmed cases of the plague a year with an estimated mortality rate of 8-10%. So, everything should be alright, but still, this definitely isn’t news we wanna hear right now…