Squirrels With Plague Found in Foothill Areas
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For the second consecutive year, Los Angeles County health officials reported that ground squirrels in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills have tested positive for animal plague.
The squirrels were found at a Charlton Flats picnic site in the Angeles National Forest, about 20 miles from La Canada, and in Camp Barley Flats, a county probation facility, health officials said.
Sylvatic plague affects wild animals, especially ground squirrels, and can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected flea.
In humans, the disease usually occurs as bubonic plague.
The county agriculture commissioner’s office and Vector Control officials have initiated flea control measures at both sites where the squirrels were found.
Additionally, Charlton Flats has been closed to the public while the disease control activities are in progress.
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