The California Department of Health has issued a closure of the southside of Lake Tahoe after several fleas tested positive for Bubonic Plague bacteria.
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Several areas in Lake Tahoe including Kiva Beach and its picnic area Tallac Historic Area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Area will be closed since they will be treated for an active “plague” as reported by ABC 7 News. An advisory from the U.S. Forest Service urges the public to follow several precautions if they decide to visit the infected areas which include keeping pets on a leash and avoiding animal burrows.
Symptoms of the plague are fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and tender lymph nodes. They can develop within seven days and it is advised to visit a doctor along with informing if they have been in a plague-infested area.
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“Bubonic Plague is naturally occurring in many parts of California, including the Sierra Nevada, and can be transmitted through bites from infected fleas. Plague is readily treatable when diagnosed early. If you experience any of the following symptoms after recreating in these areas, especially if you have evidence of an insect bite, tell your doctor where you have been and what you have done that may have exposed you to Bubonic Plague.”
Thankfully, the plague is treatable if caught early due to antibiotics. A few weeks ago, a Lake Tahoe resident caught the plague and was the first case in five years.