Innately, when Poudre High School student Taylor Gaes unexpectedly died on June 8, the cause of death was not known. Now, investigators believe that Gaes died of a rare strain of plague. The investigation is underway to determine how he contracted the disease, however, it is believed is was through a flea bite. According to the Larimer County website, they suspect that Gaes came in contact with a dead animal while on the family farm.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Health and Environment with the assistance of the U.S. Center for Disease Control, the State Health Department and the Larimer County Coroner's office. According to BuzzFeed these officials are wanting anyone who visited the Gaes's home and attended the ceremony who may have come in contact with the disease to get checked, and to keep an eye out for any symptoms.

As unlikely as it is that someone could have contracted the plague, there is a chance that anyone who visited the Gaes's farm or was present when they spread Taylor's ashes could have come in contact with the disease. The most common form of the disease is the Bubonic plague and is treatable if diagnosed early. According to the CDC, "The symptoms are similar to that of the flu, and include swollen lymph nodes, sudden onset of fever or chills, severe headache, extreme exhaustion, and a general feeling of illness."

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