Utah resident dies from the plague. - East Idaho News
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Utah resident dies from the plague.

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For a in-depth report on the plague. See the above video.

SALT LAKE CITY — (KUTV) The first Utah resident to be diagnosed with the plague since 2009 died towards the beginning of August, the Utah Department of Health confirmed Thursday.

Plague is naturally occurring in Utah and is usually seen in prairie dog populations each year. If you see an unusual number of dead prairie dogs, squirrels or rabbits in your area, you should notify your local Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Twelve cases of human plague have been reported in seven states since April 1, 2015: Arizona (two), California (one), Colorado (four), Georgia (one), New Mexico (two), Oregon (one), and Utah (one). The two cases in Georgia and the one in California were linked to exposures at or near Yosemite National Park.

An investigation is continuing into the Utahn’s illness. They could have got the disease from a flea, or contact with a dead animal. The patient had no history indicating they had traveled anywhere else where the plague is common.

Risks for the plague tend to be highest in rural and semi-rural areas, including campsites and homes that provide food and shelter for squirrels, chipmunks, wood rats or other rodents.

Plague is treatable with antibiotics. The earlier a patient seeks care, the better chance they have for a full recovery.

Common symptoms of the plague are: fever, headache, chills and weakness.

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