On Tuesday, a squirrel in California was tested positive for exposure to the bacteria that causes the plague. This is the first known positive test in over ten years. The squirrel was exposed to fleas that were carrying the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The infected squirrel doesn't pose any harm to the county of Riverside, California, but environmental health program chief Dottie Merki says, "We do want them to be educated so they can protect their families and their pets." Routine tests are done because the plague is endemic to that area and more are to follow. Humans are at risk of exposure from handling infected animals or being bitten by fleas that live on rodents with the bacteria.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/us/california-squirrel-plague/index.html?hpt=us_c2
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