Fleas can infect humans, too | Pet Peeves
A case of bubonic plague was recently reported in Oregon. As a veterinarian, I am going to take this as an excellent opportunity to point out a great reason to get serious about flea control in our pets. These days, when we think of fleas, we are concerned about how it makes our pets itch and any sores they get from chewing on themselves. In worst-case scenarios, some owners have to deal with flea anemia in their pets due to a heavy load of fleas.
But we get complacent about the disease-carrying aspect of the little bugs. Though they don’t get as much publicity as ticks, fleas also can be responsible for human diseases. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at the website cdc.gov, fleas are known to carry flea-borne typhus, cat-scratch disease and the plague seen in Oregon.
Flea-borne typhus is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, and is treatable with antibiotics if it is known that it is the source of illness. Symptoms occur from several days to two weeks after exposure, including fever, anorexia, vomiting, coughing, aches and chills, and also can cause a rash. Humans can contract it from flea dirt (which is the poop of fleas) as well as flea bites.
Cat-scratch disease is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. While it is contracted by a scratch from a cat, the disease is spread from cat to cat through flea bites. Symptoms are generally fever and enlarged lymph nodes within one to three weeks of the exposure or scratch. A scab or pustule may form at the scratch site. This also is treatable with antibiotics.
And, of course, the bubonic plague. This disease was responsible for killing millions of people in Europe from 1347 to 1351. No one knew at the time what was causing the illness or how to treat it. We know now that it is caused by a bacterium Yersinia pestis, and is treatable with antibiotics. We also know that it is carried by rats, squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, mice and rabbits. It is endemic in rural and semi-rural areas of the western United States. It can be spread to house pets through fleas that are picked up in the environment, or a pet can become infected if it kills a rodent that has the bacterium. The family pet can spread the disease to family members through flea bites or close contact in the home.
Symptoms of the plague occur between two and eight days after exposure, and include fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. It is treatable with antibiotics, thank goodness, but, if left untreated, it can lead to death.
These are some pretty good “human” reasons to try to eliminate flea exposure on your pets. The newer flea medicines that are available at your veterinarian’s office are the most effective and safest way to eliminate fleas and create a barrier in your home from flea-borne diseases both for you and your pet. Our winters are mild, and fleas are a year-round problem, so be sure you are treating all of your pets monthly and monitoring for any flea infestations.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Fleas can infect humans, too | Pet Peeves
