A Denver Zoo monkey has died of bubonic plague, apparently after eating a squirrel stricken with the disease, Colorado health and zoo officials said on Monday.
Five squirrels and a rabbit found dead on zoo grounds tested positive for the flea-borne disease in recent weeks, Denver Zoo spokeswoman Ana Bowie said.
Zookeepers on May 15 noticed the 8-year-old hooded capuchin monkey was lethargic, and the next day it was found dead in its enclosure. Zoo veterinarians sent tissue samples to a state laboratory where it was determined the animal died of the plague. The death was announced on Monday.
Zoo veterinarian Dave Kenny said that the risk of plague spreading to humans was extremely low but that visitors were being urged to avoid squirrels and rabbits.
Madpaddy wrote:Initiate Code Red. Kill EVERYTHING
Alfred Tennyson wrote:We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Ebyss wrote:Oh dear.
gnm wrote:Relax... theres a few cases every year in NM - rarely fatal if you catch it early. Bubonic plague is not "airborne" and can only be passed by the bite of the carrier flea. Although I wouldnt go cleaning wounds or anything without careful precautions. The "airborne" version you are thinking of is pneumonic plague and it occurs in a percentage of bubonic plague infected victims generally when they are near death. Pneumonic plague can then be passed airborne and is very dangerous.
-G
smallpoxgirl wrote: Plaque is endemic in ground squirrels in that area. Always has been.
KevO wrote:smallpoxgirl wrote: Plaque is endemic in ground squirrels in that area. Always has been.
then they should see dentists more often
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