UKC

Plague-Infected Squirrels Close Yosemite Campground

© The Lemming

A campground in California's Yosemite National Park has been closed for several days while the authorities deal with an outbreak of plague in the local squirrel population.

The dreaded Yosemite squirrel  © MikeR
The dreaded Yosemite squirrel
© MikeR, Nov 1999

In what is being described by the National Park Service as an 'extremely precautionary public health measure', flea treatment will be applied to rodent burrows in Tuolumne Meadows Campground after several dead animals were tested and found to be carrying plague.

This follows a recent case of the disease in a child who was hospitalized after visiting the nearby Stanislaus National Forest and camping at Crane Flat Campground in Yosemite National Park in mid-July. He is said to be recovering.

To put it into perspective, before this the last case of plague associated with exposure in Yosemite National Park was back in 1959.

Toulumne Meadows Campground is closed from mid day 17th August until 21st August.

 


This post has been read 9,461 times

Return to Latest News

Support UKC

As climbers we strive to make UKClimbing the kind of website we would love to visit, with the most up-to-date news, diverse and interesting articles, comprehensive gear reviews, breathtaking photographs and a vast and useful logbook system. As a result, an incredible community has formed around the site - we’ve provided the framework but it’s you who make the website what it is today. If you appreciate the content we offer then you can help us by becoming an official UKC Supporter. This can be a one-off single annual payment or a more substantial payment paid monthly or yearly which includes full access to Rockfax Digital and discounts on Rockfax print publications.

If you appreciate UKClimbing then please help us by becoming a UKC Supporter.

UKC Supporter

  • Support the website we all know and love
  • Access to a year's subscription to Rockfax Digital.
  • Plus 30% off Rockfax guidebooks
  • Plus Show your support - UKC Supporter badge on your profile and forum posts
UKC/UKH/Rockfax logo

Loading Notifications...
Facebook Twitter Copy Email