Do Prairie Dogs Carry the Plague in Colorado? How to Protect Yourself & Pets

Prairie dogs are burrowing rodents native to much of Colorado and a common sight in parks and on hikes. Because of their reputation for spreading flea-borne diseases, many people wonder do prairie dogs carry the plague?

While prairie dogs can indeed become infected with sylvatic plague, they aren’t true carriers. They live in large colonies called “towns” across grassland habitats, which often experience high mortality during plague outbreaks.

Five species exist, with the black-tailed prairie dog being the most common. They play a keystone role in ecosystems, supporting over 100 other species.

What is sylvatic plague?

Sylvatic plague is a flea-borne disease caused by Yersinia pestis. It’s the same bacterium responsible for the historic bubonic plague.

Highly contagious among rodents, it spreads rapidly in prairie dog colonies. Outbreaks often cause 90%+ mortality, impacting entire ecosystems.

Can Prairie Dogs Transmit Plague to Humans & Pets?

The plague spreads mainly through infected fleas. Fleas transmit Yersinia pestis by biting rodents, pets, or people. It can also spread via direct contact with infected or dead animals or through inhalation of respiratory droplets, though this is rare.

The risk to humans is low in the U.S. Most human cases come from flea bites, not direct contact with prairie dogs.

High-risk activities include handling wildlife and letting pets roam in plague-endemic areas, where they may encounter infected fleas or carcasses.

Risk to pets

Cats are more vulnerable than dogs and may show serious symptoms. Dogs often show mild or no signs but can still carry fleas. Pets can act as vectors, bringing plague bacteria into homes. Prompt vet care and flea control are essential for safety.

Prairie dogs are not plague reservoirs

Despite the rumors, prairie dogs do not carry plague long-term. They are highly susceptible and usually die rapidly when infected. Outbreaks can wipe out 90 to 100% of a colony in days. This makes them poor carriers but highly vulnerable hosts.

Effects on other wildlife

Prairie dogs are a keystone species supporting over 100 other animals. When colonies collapse, predators like the black-footed ferret lose a vital food source. Other affected species include hawks, coyotes, and burrowing owls.

Plague die-offs disrupt prairie landscapes in multiple ways:

Soil aeration declines without burrowing activity
Water erosion increases due to vegetation loss because prairie dogs help maintain plant diversity and ground cover through their grazing; without them, certain plants die off or become overgrown, leaving soil more exposed to rain and runoff.
Biodiversity drops as food and shelter sources vanish

Healthy prairie dog populations are critical to maintaining balanced grassland ecosystems.

When did plague arrive in North America?

Plague arrived in North America around 1900, brought by rats on ships. Once ashore, infected fleas spread the disease to native rodents. The first confirmed U.S. case in a native rodent was found in a California ground squirrel in 1908.

Sylvatic plague is now established in several western states including Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon, and Nevada. These regions have suitable climates, rodent populations, and flea hosts that support continued plague cycles.

Sylvatic Plague Prevention, Treatment, and Control Efforts

Personal precautions for humans and pets

To reduce plague risk, avoid direct contact with wild rodents or carcasses. Use effective flea control products on pets, especially in plague-endemic areas.

Report sudden prairie dog die-offs or “silent” colonies to local authorities. Prompt veterinary care is critical if pets show symptoms of illness.

Wildlife management strategies

Conservation teams use insecticides to dust prairie dog burrows and kill fleas. Monitoring prairie dog colonies helps detect early signs of outbreaks.

These strategies aim to protect vulnerable species like the black-footed ferret. However, insecticide resistance and environmental limitations remain concerns.

Vaccine development and trials

An oral vaccine for prairie dogs is being tested in several western states. It shows promise for reducing plague mortality in colonies. Researchers are studying whether non-target species, like mice or squirrels, are affected. If long-term safety and effectiveness data is encouraging, similar strategies may be more widely employed.

How plague re-emerges after outbreaks

After an outbreak wipes out a prairie dog colony, Yersinia pestis doesn’t always disappear. Researchers believe the bacteria may survive in alternate rodent species or persist in the soil between flare-ups. The timing of re-emergence varies, making it difficult to predict future outbreaks.

New studies also suggest that plague bacteria may survive inside soil-dwelling amoebae. These single-celled organisms could act as a “Trojan horse,” sheltering the bacteria until conditions favor reactivation.

This theory may explain how plague cycles continue even when host animals die off.

FAQs

Can you get the plague from a prairie dog?

Only in rare cases. Most human infections come from flea bites, not direct contact with prairie dogs.

What is sylvatic plague vs. bubonic plague?

Sylvatic plague is the wildlife version of bubonic plague. It spreads through rodents and fleas in natural ecosystems.

Are prairie dogs the main carriers of plague?

No. Prairie dogs are highly susceptible and often die quickly after infection. They are not long-term carriers or reservoirs.

How can I protect my pets from plague?

Keep pets on flea prevention, and avoid letting them roam freely in plague-endemic areas. Prevent contact with wild or dead animals whenever possible.