‘Rabbit Fever’ detected in Pueblo

Public Health Officials confirmed three wild rabbits tested positive for tularemia in Pueblo.

The rabbits appear not to have had contact with people and were collected from the following areas:

– Pueblo Boulevard and Spaulding Avenue, City of Pueblo
– Beardsley Place, Pueblo West
– Siesta Drive, Pueblo West

Additional rabbits are being tested over the weekend.

“Pueblo residents are advised that tularemia-causing bacteria may be present in some of the mammals – especially rabbits, rodents and hares and on the ground where these animals may be active,” said Vicki Carlton, program manager in the environmental health division at the Pueblo City-County Health Department. She added, “Although there are no human cases of tularemia identified in Pueblo this year, Colorado has experienced human tularemia cases in people who have been exposed to contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water or inhaling bacteria.”

Public Health has been monitoring rabbit die-offs in Pueblo West over the past month. These recent rabbits tested by the health department confirm tularemia is present in Pueblo County. Public Health specialists continue to monitor tularemia activity, and are providing public health information to residents in the area.

“Because tularemia is known to be in Pueblo County, precautions to prevent tularemia infection should always be taken,” emphasized Carlton.

Tularemia, “rabbit fever,” is a bacterial infection most commonly transmitted to humans by the handling of sick or dead animals infected with tularemia. Infection can also arise from the bite of infected insects (most commonly ticks and deer flies) as well as exposure to soil and vegetation. Hunters who skin animals without gloves and are exposed to infected blood through an open wound are also at risk.

Typical signs of infection in humans include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, chest pain, and coughing. Tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics, therefore should you have any of these early signs, contact your medical provider.

Dogs and cats also get tularemia by eating infected rabbits or other rodents and through tick and deer fly bites. If your pet shows symptoms of illness including fever, nasal and eye discharge, and skin sores, 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 places where wild rabbits or rodents are present, wear insect repellent containing DEET.
– Use a dust mask when mowing or doing yard work. Do not mow over animal carcasses.
– Leash your pets when outdoors and keep them away from dead animals.
– Routinely use a tick and flea prevention treatment on pets.
– If a dead animal must be moved, avoid direct contact with it. Wear insect repellent to protect yourself from its fleas or ticks, and use a long-handled shovel to scoop it up. Place it in a garbage bag and dispose in an outdoor trash receptacle. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
– Wear proper footwear outdoors where dead animals have been found.
– Do not go barefoot or wear sandals while gardening, mowing or landscaping.
– Wear gloves while 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 waters.
– If you hunt, trap or skin animals, take additional steps:
– Use impervious gloves when skinning or handling animals, especially rabbits.
– Cook the meat of wild rabbits thoroughly to a temperature of 165F or higher.

As of July 15, 2015 there were 16 human cases of tularemia in Colorado. Pueblo’s last reported human case of tularemia occurred in 2006.

For additional information about tularemia viewwww.cdc.gov/tularemia.