Posted on 04/18/2006 4:34:55 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
A CASE of bubonic plague has been reported in the second largest US city, Los Angeles, for the first time in 22 years, health officials said today.
An unidentified woman came down last week with symptoms of the disease, known as the Black Death, when it devastatingly swept across Europe in the 14th century. Health officials said they believed the infected woman, who remains in hospital, was exposed to fleas in the area around her house and stressed it was unlikely the rare disease would spread.
"Bubonic plague is not usually transmissible from person to person," Jonathan Fielding, head of Los Angeles County public health, said.
Mr Fielding explained the disease is not uncommon among animals such as squirrels but seldom spreads to humans.
"Fortunately, human plague infection is rare in urban environments, and this single case should not be a cause for alarm in the area where this occurred," he said.
Health officials investigating the source of the disease set traps to catch squirrels and other wild animals in the area near where the woman lives.
Blood tests will be performed on any animals caught to determine if they were exposed to the plague bacteria.
Plague symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, headache, sore throat, fatigue and swollen, tender lymph nodes associated with the arm or leg that has flea bites.
The disease is treatable with antibiotics, medical experts said.
Can never have too many rats if it's sage rats you're hunting.
I got the vaccination for plague. I've kept my shot cards just to keep track of all the weird things I was vaccinated for.
I have a vaccination with the seal of Thailand. I was third mate on a ship that was required for everyone on the ship to be vaccinated. I was told to gather the crew for the shots. I looked at the 10 new needles on the table and asked for my vaccination first. We were a crew of 43.
So ... they're saying ... they killed every single last Bubonic-plague-laced flea before it jumped away?
bfl
For a 280 lb guy I can move very stealthily. He thought I didn't know he was in the California Poppies. He was wrong.
When we lived in Texas I killed rats in our barn with a .22 loaded with "snake shot". Maybe you can use a little revolver full of these next time.
I'm in the fringe of the downtown district, on a main drag. I thought about using my .45, but figured it would annoy the neighbors...
I have a digital generator that shuts off at 5 parts per million. I've already had to replace the 1 oz. silver bar I've made so many gallons.
Biting.
A single case, but if you only read the headline you'd think it's an epidemic.
Don't take someone's word that you are getting "pure" silver. Buy a Canadian Maple Leaf silver coin. They are assayed at the mint and they are the purest silver you can purchase. .9999 fine
Not too surprising. Both Los Angeles and Albuquerque have large rodent populations in their surroundings. Plague is endemic in the wild rodent population. That's why New Mexico's slogan is:
Land of the Flea, Home of the Plague.
Rat fleas are happy to jump on a human in the absence of a rat. Same with dog fleas and cat fleas.
Of course she's an illegal. If she wasn't an illegal, she would have been identified. Sacred cow, ya know?
ILLEGALS
Our favorite snake oil
Yuck.
Jonathan Fielding, head of Los Angeles County public health, said.
Mr Fielding explained the disease is not uncommon among animals such as squirrels but seldom spreads to humans.
Except when the fleas arrive by "coyote" !
Yeah, it seems that it's a preference, not a requirement. I was surprised that there even WAS a type of flea dedicated to humans. This is reminding me I have to go pick up some more Advantage for my cat soon. I've been letting her out more, and she's getting them -- I found one on me last night.
We had that problem with our cat a few times.
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