Plague Forces Closure Of Popular Campground Near Lake Tahoe
RENO (CBS SF) -- A popular campground near Lake Tahoe has been closed after health officials found plague at the site earlier this month.
The U.S. Forest Service said Fallen Leaf Campground just west of South Lake Tahoe will be closed from June 27 until July 1. While the area is closed, workers will use pesticides to minimize the risk of future plague.
Workers will be dusting rodent burrows with pesticide that is a man-made version of a natural pesticide made from chrysanthemums and which has minimal effects to people or pets with direct contact, according to the forest service.
Plague is a bacterial disease that can be spread by flea bites or by direct contact with infected animals. It is often carried by fleas on rodents.
Symptoms of plague in humans include fever, chills, headache and weakness, and that prompt diagnosis and treatment greatly reduces the fatality rate.
Forest Service officials are reminding people not to feed wild rodents or tough sick or injured animals.
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