Image
© kob.com

Santa Fe, New Mexico - State health officials say plague being found in pets in northern New Mexico should be a warning that human cases could follow.

The state Health Department confirmed plague this week in a dog in Santa Fe County. Lab tests also have confirmed plague cases in another Santa Fe County dog and a cat from Rio Arriba County near Abiquiu.

They are the first cases of the year. No human plague cases have been confirmed.

Plague is a bacterial disease generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas. It also can be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals.

Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden fever, chills, headache and weakness. In most cases there also is a painful swelling of lymph nodes in the groin, armpit or neck.

Source: Associated Press