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PUEBLO, Colorado – Public health officials announced the first case of human tularemia in Pueblo County in 2018, the individual is an adult.
"Residents of Pueblo are aware that bacteria causing tularemia may be present in some mammals, especially rabbits, rodents and hares, and on the soil where these animals may be active," said Jody Carrillo, director of the Pueblo division. Health and environment. Carrillo added, "Cases of human tularemia are rare, but people who have been exposed to contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water or inhaling the bacteria may develop the disease."
Tularemia, "rabbit fever", can spread through soil contaminated with feces or urine from sick animals such as rabbits and bacteria that cause tularemia can vaporize
"Because tularemia is known to occur in Pueblo County, precautions should always be taken to prevent Tularemia infection, particularly when mowing weeds or grass," said Carrillo.
The infection can also come from the bite of infected insects (most commonly ticks and deer flies), as well as exposure to soil and vegetation. Hunters who are pelting animals without gloves and exposed to open wound blood are also at risk.
Typical signs of infection in humans include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, chest pain and coughing. Tularemia can be treated effectively with antibiotics; Contact your doctor if these first signs are present.
Dogs and cats can also contract tularaemia by eating rabbits or other infected rodents and biting ticks and deer. If your pet has symptoms of illness, including fever, runny nose, eyes, and skin lesions, take it to a veterinarian promptly. Tularemia is easily treated if diagnosed early in dogs and cats.
Recommended precautions include:
• Avoid handling wild animals.
• When outdoors, near areas where rabbits or wild rodents are present, wear an insect repellent containing DEET.
• Use a dust mask to mow or do yard work. Do not mow the carcasses of animals.
• Wear shoes covering your feet outdoors, where dead animals have been found.
• Do not go barefoot or wear sandals when gardening, mowing or landscaping.
• Wear gloves when gardening or landscaping and wash your hands after these activities.
• Do not drink unpurified water from streams or lakes or allow your pets to drink surface water.
• Tie your pets outdoors and keep them away from dead animals.
• Always use a preventive treatment against ticks and fleas in pets.
• If a dead animal needs to be moved, avoid direct contact with the carcass. Wear an insect repellent to protect yourself from fleas or ticks and use a long handled shovel to pick up the carcass.
• Place the carcass in a garbage bag and dispose of it in an outdoor bin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
If you hunt, trap or peel animals, take additional measures:
• Use gloves that do not allow fluids to pass through when pelting or handling animals, especially rabbits.
• Cook wild rabbit meat at 165 ° F or higher.
History provided by Pueblo Department of Public Health and the Environment
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