Plague zone expands following second case

State health officials expanded the area where the plague virus has surfaced within the last two weeks. It follows the second death of a cat that officials suspect contracted the virus from infected ground squirrels, commonly known as "whistle pigs."

State health and wildlife officials issued an advisory late last week after a second cat in Elmore County likely died from the plague just days after the virus killed another.

The cat lived approximately two miles from Mountain Home in an area not previously identified with confirmed plague.

This latest case prompted health officials to ...

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.