The traps provided by Orange County Vector Control were removed Wednesday afternoon, just a day after they were set at El Sol Science and Arts Academy and Willard Intermediate School, city spokesman Jose Gonzalez said.
Santa Ana city officials decided to pull the traps because there wasn't a clear-cut plan as to how the cats were going to be handled, Gonzalez said.
The plan to corral feral cats living on the campuses was an effort to reduce the flea population and stave off the spread of typhus after a Santa Ana resident who lives nearby contracted the flea-borne disease in April. An adult living in Orange was diagnosed in January. Both have recovered.
Gonzalez said the city will continue its educational campaign in the community to reduce the flea population in an effort to make the area safe for the children who attend the schools and live nearby.
"We are changing our focus and attacking the real problem, which are the fleas," Gonzalez said. "The main issue right now is to safeguard the community and reduce the risk of typhus."
Orange County Vector Control District has begun distributing information in the area advising residents how they can protect themselves.
Flea-borne typhus, also known as endemic typhus and murine typhus, is transmitted by fleas. It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis, found in infected fleas and their feces.
Symptoms begin one to two weeks after exposure and include high fever, headaches, chills, body aches and rash on the chest, back, arms and legs.
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Surely a TNR program along with treating the cats caught for fleas would help a little. I know that sooner, rather than later, the cats would again catch fleas but it would help.... at least a little... and would help the cats A LOT!
ReplyDeleteCertainly, catching and treating the cats might help. Originally, the plan was to euthanize the cats, which made no sense since it's the fleas and not the cats that carry the disease.
DeleteTis a problem, but I'm happy to see at least they are putting some thought into the situation. I agree with Nerissa, TNR program plus flea control would be the best solution, otherwise the flea population will keep growing and of course we know the cat population will keep growing.
ReplyDeleteLast week, city officials said they would likely euthanize any cats caught, which caused push-back from Alley Cat Allies since it's the fleas who carry the disease and not the cats. In addition, animal advocates threw things into the traps, which set them off so they couldn't catch any cats. Rather than just remove the traps, I think they should let people know that they will treat the cats for fleas and then release them.
DeleteHaving typhus sounds awful, but it seems the problem could be resolved with flea medication. Hopefully the city comes up with a solution that protects their residents and the cats.
ReplyDeleteI agree Amy. Alley Cat Allies advises officials in Santa Ana to follow the example of other areas with typhus cases by focusing their efforts on controlling the source of typhus - fleas. Los Angeles County (50 miles to the north) advises treating pets for fleas and using humane outdoor cat deterrents to control flea infestations.
DeleteIt's possible for a cat to take the bait and yet step lightly enough to not lower the trip plate. The trap then needs to be reset, with the hook moved slightly more apart from the metal cylinder.
ReplyDelete