Six ground squirrels test positive for plague

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN — Blood samples collected from six out of seven ground squirrels at the Doane Valley Campground on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for the plague, County Vector Control officials announced last Thursday.

“In July of this year, another ground squirrel in this same vicinity tested positive for plague,” said Gary Erbeck, director of the Department of Environmental Health. “The good news is that we have taken preventative measures since July, such as placing flea dusting stations for the squirrels after the first squirrel tested positive. The six current squirrels that teste...