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Health Officials: Five Animals Test Positive For Plague In Past Three Months

New Mexico Department of Health

State health officials are reporting five cases of plague in animals in the Santa Fe area since last November.

The New Mexico Department of Health says three cats, one dog and one mouse have all been confirmed with plague.

Confirmatory testing was conducted at the department's Scientific Laboratory Division.

Officials say all of the animals that tested positive are from residences in south Santa Fe near the Interstate 25 corridor.

Environmental investigations were conducted at each site to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area.

Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas.

It can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.