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Plague And Hantavirus Cases

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Plague activity is increasing around New Mexico.

The state Department of Health's Scientific Laboratory has confirmed plague in a dog near San Jon in Quay County.

Other confirmed animal plague cases this year include a dog and cat in the city of Santa Fe and the rural Santa Fe County subdivision of Eldorado and a dog and cat from the Alcalde and Abiquiu areas in Rio Arriba County.

Public health veterinarian Dr. Paul Ettestad is urging people to protect themselves from plague and hantavirus since the wet winter and spring can mean growing rodent populations, increasing people's risk of becoming ill from the diseases rodents carry.

Ettestad says plague cases in pets serve as a warning human cases can follow.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.