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Colo. Girl Continues to Recover from Bubonic Plague

by KREX News Room
by Associated Press

Story Created: Sep 5, 2012 at 10:15 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 6, 2012 at 8:24 AM MDT

DENVER- The parents of Sierra Jane Downing say she is recovering after contracting bubonic plague. Doctors say the 7-year-old could go home within a week.

Sierra Jane Downing's parents took her to the local hospital in Pagosa Springs on Aug. 24 after she became ill following a camping trip.

Sierra suffered a seizure and had a 107-degree fever. She was taken to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver, where a pediatrician diagnosed the rare disease.

Darcy Downing said her daughter may have been infected by insects near a dead squirrel she wanted to bury.

The bubonic plague hasn't been confirmed in a human in Colorado since 2006, when four cases were reported.

Federal health officials say that on average, seven cases are reported in the United States each year.


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