BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, S.D. - The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service have confirmed that a plague outbreak is responsible for prairie dog die-offs in Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap National Grassland and the greater Conata-Badlands ecosystem, based on a test result received on May 31.
"From May 22nd to June 1st, multiple prairie dog colonies were observed with little to no prairie dog activity compared to other colonies with normal activity levels," says Eric Veach, Superintendent of the Badlands National Park. "Three dead prairie dogs were collected on May 28th and May 29th, and submitted for testing for plague and tularemia. On May 31st, plague was confirmed in one prairie dog. Others are still being tested."
"It's not native to North America, he continued. "It probably arrived on ships carrying rats, in the 1900s. however, the fleas infect the prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets can be infected either by the fleas or by consuming prairie dogs that are infected."
The latest outbreak of plague is the first in Conata Basin since 2009, when another outbreak killed more than 80 percent of the remaining population of black-footed ferrets, one of the most endangered mammals in the world.
“We are concerned about the impacts to the black-footed ferret population and are taking necessary action to protect this important keystone species,” said Veach. "The population in the Conata Basin is the largest population in the wild. Right now, that population is at around 160 animals. In 2009, when we saw plague reemerge in this area, that population declined to about 50 animals."
The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and conservation partners are working to apply emergency flea control agents to stop the further spread of plague, to monitor for plague activity in the ecosystem and reduce any risks to human health. Black-footed ferrets are being captured and vaccinated against plague to protect their dwindling population.
“Extensive conservation efforts in 2009 to manage the spread of plague were able to preserve a black-footed ferret population in the Conata-Badlands ecosystem, where the largest free-ranging black-footed ferret population in the world now resides," said Veach.
How can I avoid catching the plague?
Plague presents a low risk to humans. Though plague in rodents such as prairie dogs was first reported in 2005, South Dakota has never reported a case of human infection.
Approximately seven human cases occur every year, primarily in the southwestern U.S. and California. Ways you can catch plague include:
- Bites from infected fleas
- Contact with infected rodents, including carcasses
- Breathing infectious particles from an infected animal, sick pet or sick human
Symptoms from a flea bite usually begin 2-6 days after exposure and include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills and muscle aches, as well as painful swelling at the site of the bite and the nearest lymph node. These symptoms can lead to blood infection and severe respiratory illness, potentially becoming deadly if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
Although rare, infections acquired by breathing in infectious bacteria develop symptoms within 1-3 days and are most often fatal if not treated shortly after the onset of symptoms.
"It's a scary disease, it's a serious disease, but fortunately, there are effective antibiotics to treat plague," said Dr. Danielle Buttke, a veterinary epidemiologist with the National Park Service. "If you become infected and while it's endemic throughout much of the western United States, human cases in the US are incredibly rare. We typically have fewer than seven human cases a year here in the United States."
Plague can be prevented by practicing the following recommendations:
- Avoid contact with rodents, rodent burrows and fleas.
- Wear insect repellent when working or recreating outdoors. Wear long pants tucked into socks and closed-toe shoes.
- Never touch or approach a sick or dead animal.
- Never feed wildlife.
- Do not pitch tents near rodent burrows.
- Keep pets leashed and current on a flea and tick preventative.
- Know the signs and symptoms of plague. If you develop symptoms, seek medical care immediately and inform your doctor you may have been exposed to plague.
