All articles tagged with #tularemia
Colorado health officials are monitoring reports of a rare illness linked to rabbits and urging precautions for anyone handling wildlife; no statewide outbreak has been confirmed.
A dead rabbit in a southwest Berthoud neighborhood tested positive for tularemia, indicating the bacterium is present in Larimer County. Also known as rabbit fever, tularemia can transmit to humans via bites from infected animals or insects, direct contact with sick or dead animals, or contaminated soil, water, or food, with symptoms ranging from fever and skin ulcers to swollen lymph nodes or pneumonia in inhaled cases. Since 2020, there have been seven county cases. Health officials urge precautions for outdoor activity: use insect repellent, check for ticks, avoid wild animals and their waste, refrain from feeding wildlife, remove yard clutter, avoid touching dead animals, cook meat thoroughly, and keep pets leashed. Early diagnosis and antibiotics can treat the infection.
Two beavers in Chautauqua County tested positive for tularemia, a rare bacterial disease in the region, prompting health officials to advise residents on protective measures against wildlife contact and insect bites to prevent infection. The disease can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early, and precautions include wearing protective clothing, avoiding contact with sick animals, and ensuring food and water safety.
Southwest Nebraska reports an unusual spike in tularemia cases, with three cases in a month compared to only six in the past decade, prompting health officials to urge precautions against tick bites and contact with wildlife to prevent the disease, which can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
Officials in Minnesota are tracking an increase in tularemia, or "rabbit fever," cases in animals, particularly cats, in the Twin Cities. The disease, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, can also infect humans through contact with sick animals or insect bites. Pet owners are advised to keep cats indoors and use tick preventatives. Symptoms in humans include fever, ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes. Health officials recommend using insect repellent and avoiding contact with wild animals.
Minnesota health officials have issued a warning about a surge in tularemia infections, particularly advising cat owners to be cautious as the disease can be transmitted from pets to humans through bites or scratches. The state has already reported seven cases in 2024, and symptoms in animals include high fever, swelling, and skin sores. The Health Department recommends avoiding contact with wild animals, using tick repellent, and keeping pets indoors to prevent infection.
The Pueblo Department of Public Health & Environment (PDPHE) in Colorado has issued a health alert for summertime illnesses caused by wildlife and insects. Due to higher levels of precipitation this year, mosquito, flea, and rodent populations have increased, leading to an increased risk of diseases such as Tularemia and Plague. The PDPHE advises residents to avoid contact with wild animals, wear insect repellent, and protect pets from exposure. Additionally, the PDPHE warns of the West Nile Virus and Hantavirus, providing guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure.