Boise (670 KBOI News) – An outdoor cat is dead from what is possibly plague in Elmore County.

According to a statement from the Central District Health Department, the cat — which was being cared for by a family — was known to hunt whistle pigs, which are carriers of fleas, which carry plague.

Last spring, a child was diagnosed with plague in Elmore County, and last month, a paet cat was…both of them got treatment and are recovering.

Health officials say you should not feed whistle pigs, mice, voles or any other rodent, keep you pets from hunting rodents, and talk with your veterinarian about what kind of flea control is recommended for your pet.

They also recommend making your land as inhospitable to rodents as possible…that means moving woodpiles, hay and compost as far from your home as possible, and cleaning up brush where they can live and hide.