It just keeps getting better and better.
Rocky the Squirrel is now the carrier of the bubonic plague -- in LA! I suppose, if a plague had to break out in this country, that's not a bad place to start.
Plague found in squirrel prompts closures at Angeles National Forest
A discovery of plague has prompted campgrounds at Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County to be closed down as officials investigate.
A squirrel captured in a trap on July 16 tested positive for the bubonic plague, CBS Los Angeles reported.
Twisted Arrow, Broken Blade and Pima Loops of the Table Mountain campgrounds have been closed since 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
No people have been infected.
So, not even a very effective plague. And it can be treated easily with antibiotics...if caught in time. And by "in time" they mean within the first day or so. After that, you're either losing body parts or your life. The plague gets you in days.
Where I live in Northern California we have more squirrels than people. I'm going to rig me up one of these today and have some fun.
Guess not.
Squirrels are a plague all by themselves. They're secretly in league with the cats in a plot to conquer the world. The white ones (Raaaaciiissss!) are the ringleaders of course. That's what the dog tells me anyway and why would she lie?
ReplyDeleteDogs know.
DeleteIf you get the common garden variety of bubonic plague, it takes around a week to run its course, and you have about a 40% chance of surviving without antibiotics. Pneumonic gives you about 2 days and about a 5% chance if untreated, and septicemic gives you hours and even with treatment has a close to 0% survival rate.
ReplyDeletePlague has been endemic in the South West US for years. I remember a case in the '70s which involved racoons living in someone's unused chimney. The illness made international news since no-one had any idea what it was. Except for the medievalists. A friend of mine remembered that case hitting the news in Ireland and the department chair at Trinity reading it and announcing "They've got plague." Lo and behold two or three days later the doctors figured it out.
Can you tell I've read way too much about it and find it way too interesting?
Sounds like a crummy way to go, no matter WHAT type you get. And losing fingers and toes is never fun either.
DeletePlague from squirrels...rabies from raccoons and bats...UGH!
Do not feed the animals!!