The US Forest Service is warning visitors about fleas that tested positive for plague bacteria in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Officials said the Tallac Historic Site, Kiva Beach picnic area and Taylor Creek Visitor Center are temporarily closed to allow treatment to mitigate the fleas.
The Forest Service is working with the California Department of Public Health and anticipate parking areas will reopen before the Labor Day weekend.
Visitors should take the following precautions when in these areas:
• Avoid contact with wild rodents, which can be infected with fleas
• Do not touch sick/dead rodents
• Report unusual observations to rangers
• Do not camp, sleep/rest near animal burrows
• Wear long pants tucked into boots to reduce exposure to fleas
• Apply insect repellent to socks/pant cuffs
• If possible, leave pets at home
Plague is naturally occurring in California and Sierra Nevada. It can be transmitted through bites from infected fleas and is readily treatable when diagnosed early.
If you experience the following symptoms after recreating in these areas or have evidence of a insect bite with these symptoms, tell your doctor:
• Fever/chills
• Muscle aches/weakness
• Swollen/tender lymph nodes
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User: U.S. Forest Service - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit To: link
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