A squirrel from Palomar Mountain has tested positive for the plague, animal officials announced Thursday.
The County Vector Control Program caught the squirrel in a routine test Thursday.
The bacteria, Yersina Pestis, is commonly found in squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents, but this is the first time it has been detected this year. Warning signs have been posted in the area where the squirrel was found, animals officials said.
“You should never feed or play with squirrels when you see them outdoors,” said Environmental Health Department Director Elizabeth Pozzebon in a statement. “If you’re camping, don’t set up your tents near squirrel burrows. And if you find dead squirrels, report them to park rangers.”
The bacteria can spread to humans though contact with infected animals or fleas.
People who become sick within a week of visiting an area known to have plague should immediately contact their doctor according to the County Vector Control Program. Without antibiotics, an infected person can become seriously ill or even die.
