According to the health department, the man is recovering at a local hospital as authorities investigate the current risks to immediate family members, neighbors, and others in the surrounding community.
To avoid the plague, the NMDOH issued the following recommendations:
- Avoid sick or dead rodents and rabbits, and their nests and burrows.
- Prevents pets from roaming and hunting.
- Talk to your vet about using a suitable flea control product for your pets, as not all products are safe for cats, dogs, or their children.
- Clean up areas near the house where rodents may live, such as woodpiles, piles of brush, trash, and abandoned vehicles. ”
- Have a veterinarian examine sick pets immediately.
- Consult your doctor about any unexplained illness involving sudden and severe fever.
- Place hay, wood, and compost piles as far away from your home as possible.
- Don’t leave your pet’s food and water where rodents and wildlife can reach it.
Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness. Health officials said that in most cases there is painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck area.
The symptoms of plague in dogs and cats are fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. A dog in Santa Fe County was also diagnosed with plague this year.
In New Mexico, there was one case of human plague in 2019 and none in 2018.
With rapid diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, the death rate in people and pets can be greatly reduced.
Physicians who suspect plague should immediately inform NMDOH by calling (505) 827-0006.
