Yea, those dang prairie dogs carry fleas that carry the plague. It's a good idea to not handle a prairie dog or have one as a pet, I remember about
15 years ago a shop in Colorado got shut down because they were selling prairie dogs as pets.
It was a dumb idea. That's where this comes from. Usually a dog or cat gets a hold of a prairie dog and transmits the fleas to humans and that's how
the plague spreads.
Prairie dogs, Squirrels, Chipmunks, All may be carriers,
If you are hiking in areas with active plague wear good high top boots and tape your pants legs down to the boots.
Then spray the boots with a good insect repellent that repels fleas.
In the mining business i worked many areas of Calif hills with active plague.