Backroads Veterinary Care, LLC

2010 Plague Updates

The first confirmed case of plague in 2010 occurred in a dog from Santa Fe County in February.  Since then, two dogs and two cats in New Mexico have tested positive for plague. There have been no human cases of plague in 2010.  However, the presence of plague in wildlife and domestic pets poses a risk for transmission of plague to people by plague-infested fleas.  It is very important to keep pets on monthly flea control!                                      

April 16, 2010 (Santa Fe) – The Department of Health's Scientific Laboratory confirmed plague this week in a dog who lived near San Jon in Quay County. Other confirmed animal plague cases this year include a dog and cat from Santa Fe County (city of Santa Fe and Eldorado) and a dog and cat from Rio Arriba County (Alcalde and Abiquiu area). All cases have recovered. No human plague cases have been confirmed so far this year.

In New Mexico, there were six human cases of plague in 2009 with three of them in Santa Fe County. One of the Santa Fe County cases was an 8-year-old boy who died.

For more information about plague, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, go to the Department’s website at: http://nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/plague.shtml.

New Mexico Plague Statistics  - 2009

Six people developed plague in 2009 with one fatality.  Three cases were in Santa Fe County, two in Bernalillo county, and one in Sandoval county.

Plague was confirmed in 9 dogs and 9 cats in 2009.  Animals came from Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Taos, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties.

According to a recent Banfield study, October was identified as the peak month for flea activity. However,  fleas can live and reproduce underground feeding on rodents like pocket gophers, prairie dogs, and rabbits in all seasons. The first case of plague this spring was in February when snow coverd the ground!  Rodents, which can harbor plague-infested fleas,  seeking shelter and food may also gain access to your house or garage and your pets may encounter infected rodents or their fleas without roaming far from home. 

Both cats and dogs may develop plague and bring the disease into your home.

Contact Dr. Hamlen for affordable year-round flea control for both cats and dogs.