[Faline]

Parts of a national forest in California have been evacuated and closed down after a squirrel was found to be infected with the plague.

Los Angeles officials say visitors were ordered to leave the Angeles National Forest as a precaution after the rodent was trapped in a routine check.

They said no people in the area were believed to have been infected with the disease, known as the Black Death.

The plague killed as many as 25 million Europeans during the Middle Ages.

It is a bacterial infection which can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas.

If not treated with antibiotics, it is usually deadly.

There have been only four cases of human plague in Los Angeles County since 1984, none of which was fatal, according to officials.

Further testing of squirrels in the region will be carried out before the campgrounds are re-opened to the public.

Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, told the BBC that agriculture workers would dust squirrel burrows in order to reduce the flea population.

He said that while the area was closed to camping, people would still be able to hike through.

He advised that anyone who wished to do so should use insect repellent and ensure that any pets they bring have a flea collar.

[ices]

We have a cure for this now, but like all good bacteria, it evolves.

[Darkest Angel]

The plague never really left. Small isolated cases occasionally surface & are quickly quarantined. Hopefully we will have a good cold winter here in the south to reduce both the mosquito & flea population.

Also, speaking of mosquitos, has anyone else noticed a reduction in their local bat population?

[Megamel29]

You can't camp there but you can hike? Uh, no, thanks.

[Iliketurtles]

I was feeding squirrels this morning with bread.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by Darkest Angel ↗

The plague never really left. Small isolated cases occasionally surface & are quickly quarantined.

99% in
•Northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado
•California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada

http://www.cdc.gov/plague/maps/

[Angelahh]

in the rodent family but kinda cute

[swheaton]

Fucking squirrels...next they'll have hand guns.

[Darkest Angel]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

99% in
•Northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado
•California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada

http://www.cdc.gov/plague/maps/

It it DOES evolve with the flea, rat, squirrel population being what it is, it could quickly reach pandemic proportions.