The Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment says positive test results for plague came back on Wednesday from a flea specimen collected from a prairie dog die-off at the Westminster Hills Open Space. The area includes a dog park at 105th Avenue and Simms Street.

The area is currently closed to the public and plague warning signs have been posted in the area.

Health workers recommend everyone living in or visiting the area take precautions to protect themselves and their pets.

Officials say cats are more likely to contract plague - either from ingesting a rodent or being scratched or bitten by one. However, the disease is most commonly spread by fleas which have bitten plague-infected rodents.

Humans can also contract the plague from flea bites or from a cough or direct contact from an infected animal, officials say.

Residents are urged to take steps rodent-proofing their homes and storing their food and trash properly. When taking animals out, officials say it's a good idea to use insect repellent, flea-control products and to keep animals leashed.

According to officials, humans who contract plague show symptoms within two to seven days. Those symptoms include: fever, headache, weakness and rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough and sometimes bloody or watery saliva.

Plague can be treated with antibiotics and officials say to consult a physician if you are experiencing symptoms.