Squirrel on Palomar Mountain tests positive for plague; county's first case in 2015

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN – On July 9, County officials reported that a squirrel trapped in routine surveillance on Palomar Mountain has tested positive for plague, the first detection of the disease in San Diego County in 2015.

County environmental health officials reminded people that it is common to find the bacteria – Yersina pestis – that causes plague in San Diego County mountains and that hikers and campers should always avoid coming into contact with squirrels, chipmunks and other animals in the wild.

"You should never feed or play with squirrels when you see them outdoors," said Environmental...