Plague warning in South Lake Tahoe closes parking lots at three popular beach areas

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The parking areas at the Tallac Historic Site, Kiva Beach/Picnic area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center are temporarily closed to allow for treatment to mitigate fleas in the area, which have tested positive for plague bacteria.

This follows the announcement by El Dorado County health officials on August 18 that a South Lake Tahoe resident tested positive for plague. It was believed that person, an avid walker, may have been bitten by an infected flea while walking their dog along the Truckee River Corridor north of Highway 50 or the Tahoe Keys area in South Lake Tahoe.

The Forest Service is working closely with their partners at the California Department of Public Health and anticipate that these parking areas will reopen before Labor Day weekend.

They also doing trapping and testing rodents on the Harootunian trails off of Pioneer Trail and Oneidas. Officials will trap, comb them for fleas, and test.

Visitors should take the following precautions when visiting areas where active plague has been found. Remember to stay on trails and if you must bring your pet, keep them on a short leash and do not let them investigate rodent burrows.

• 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

It is not unusual for plague to show up in squirrels annually in Lake Tahoe, especially during warm conditions. Do not touch any dead squirrels and call local authorities.

Symptoms of plague

Fever/chills
Muscle aches/weakness
Swollen/tender lymph nodes

Plague is readily treatable when diagnosed early. Tell your doctor where you have been and what you have done that may have exposed you to plague. For more information, visit http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/Plague.aspx. Report sick or dead rodents by calling (530) 573-3197.