Los Angeles Squirrel Diagnosed With Plague

Biologists have found plague in a ground squirrel found in Los Angeles-area campgrounds, it was reported Thursday.

According to Reuters News Service, authorities shut down part of the Angeles National Forest for a week at least.

Squirrel burrows will be dusted for fleas, which carry the bacteria that causes the disease known as "the Black Death," authorities said.

Ground squirrels in the area will be tested before campers are allowed to return, Reuters reported.

It was the sixth squirrel since 1995 to test positive for plague in Southern California's San Gabriel Mountains, including one in 2010, according to the advisory issued Wednesday

The most recent infected squirrel was trapped on July 16 during routine checks in the park and confirmed to carry the disease on July 23, according to the advisory.
Part of the Angeles National Forest was shut down beginning on Wednesday afternoon.

The plague was dubbed the Black Death in the Middle Ages, when it was blamed for the deaths of around 25 million Europeans -- a third of the population in Europe -- Reuters reported.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics nowadays and there are very few human cases reported yearly, according to Reuters.