Adam Jensen
The Union news service

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October 13, 2012
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Chipmunk tests positive for plague at Lake Tahoe

Local, state and federal officials are urging caution after a chipmunk near Taylor Creek Visitor Center at South Lake Tahoe was found with plague last week. The rodent was rolled up in a ball, shaking and struggling to breathe when it was discovered by a U.S. Forest Service employee, Forest Service spokeswoman Cheva Heck said. Vector control officials were contacted and captured the animal, which tested presumptive positive for the bacteria that causes plague, Yersinia pestis, Heck said. The disease is rare, highly infectious and can be fatal, according to a Wednesday statement from the El Dorado County Environmental Management …

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The Union Updated Oct 13, 2012 08:17AM Published Oct 16, 2012 07:43AM Copyright 2012 The Union. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.