A cat in Laramie has been diagnosed with the plague, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.
The cat is suspected to be an indoor-outdoor pet and is currently being treated with antibiotics.
“Plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly for pets and people if not treated as soon as possible with antibiotics,” Dr. Emily Curren, a state public health veterinarian with the Wyoming Department of Health, said in a news release from Albany County Health on Wednesday, September 6.
Although no human-illnesses have been associated with this particular cat, the Wyoming Department of Health reported a case of pneumonic plague in Fremont County in 2021. The source being exposure to a sick, outdoor cat.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cats are especially prone to the plague, posing a more significant risk to those who handle them, such as owners and veterinarians.
They are also said to be far more susceptible to contraction and transmission than dogs.
The transmission of the disease occurs through aerosolization, also known as dispersion of particles through the air, bites, scratches, or direct contact with the animal. It can also be contracted directly from fleas on the animal.
“The disease can be passed to humans from ill animals and by fleas coming from infected animals,” Curren continued.
“We are letting people know of the potential threat in the cat’s home area as well as offering a reminder about plague to people across the state.
There are no current reports of the plague in humans as of now, but the risk is still present.
Human cases of the plague are far and few, although the CDC reports an average of 7 cases per year from 2000-2020 in the United States.
“While the disease is rare in humans, plague occurs naturally in the western US in areas where rodents and their fleas become infected… It is safe to assume a risk for plague exists all around our state.”
There are several ways to stay safe from the plague, including, but not limited to, using insect repellent when participating in outdoor activities, protecting pets with flea repelling products, avoiding unnecessary exposure to rodents, and avoiding contact with outdoor animals who may have been exposed to disease.
Additionally, getting treatment for sick pets immediately and wearing gloves if handling an infected animal is necessary.
Symptoms of the plague include swollen or tender lymph glands, fever, headache, chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, extreme exhaustion, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea and can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
