Plague probably killed biologist
A wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon National Park most likely died from plague contracted while performing a necropsy on a mountain lion that later tested positive for the disease.
Eric York, 37, who worked in the park’s cougar-collaring program, became ill on Oct. 30 and called in sick for a couple of days before being found dead in his home Nov. 2. Tests were positive for pneumonic plague.
Officials said 49 people who came in contact with York were given antibiotics as a precaution. None have shown symptoms of the disease.
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