Bubonic Plague at Lake Tahoe
Bubonic Plague is naturally occurring in the Sierra Nevada including the Lake Tahoe Basin. Visitors should always take precautions when visiting areas where active plague has been found. Stay on trails and if you must bring your pet, keep them on short leash and do not let them investigate rodent burrows.
General Precautions
- Avoid all contact with wild rodents and their fleas.
- Do not touch sick or dead rodents.
- Report to rangers or health authorities.
- Do not camp, sleep or rest near animal burrows.
- Look for and heed warning signs.
- Do not feed rodents in campgrounds and picnic areas.
- Store food and garbage in rodent-proof containers.
- Wear long pants tucked into boots to reduce your exposure to fleas.
- Apply insect repellant to socks and pant cuffs.
- Leave pets at home if possible. Otherwise, keep pets confined or on a leash.
- Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or to explore rodent burrows.
- Protect pets with flea control products.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Weakness
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes
Plague is readily treatable when diagnosed early. You can help with the diagnosis by telling your doctor where you have been and what you have done that may have exposed you to plague.
For more information on plague in California, visit the California Department of Public Health webpage or call 916-552-9730. To report a sick or dead rodent, contact El Dorado County Vector Control at 530-573-3197.