Well, of course they're concerned. If we've never had it here before, this is obviously something they are taking seriously. All I'm saying is it is a small outbreak, nobody has or will die, they seem to have traced its exact origin and if you stay away from Gambian rats and prairie dogs (not a difficult thing) then you should be fine.
Part of me wants to say, "Duh!". People should leave the wild animals in the wild and not try to make pets of them. It is well-known prairie dogs can carry bubonic plague, too. Another reason to stay away from them.
BTW, I'm in the Milwaukee area, so I am well aware of this story.