JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A human case of tularemia, a bacterial illness that most commonly spreads between rodents and bugs, has been present in Jefferson County, public well being officers mentioned previous this week.The case was once reported in a Wheat Ridge resident and was once the primary human reason behind tularemia within the county in 2024, consistent with a spokesperson with Jefferson County Public Well being.The illness, sometimes called “rabbit fever,” is led to by means of the bacterium Fransicella tularensis and most commonly impacts rodents and rabbits, in addition to bugs equivalent to ticks and deerflies. It may be transmitted to people, then again, throughout the bites of inflamed animals or bugs, in addition to throughout the drinking infected water or meals and airborne micro organism.”Whilst tularemia is uncommon, it is vital for citizens to concentrate on the indications and take preventive measures,” mentioned Rachel Reichardt, an environmental well being specialist with Jefferson County Public Well being. “Advised remedy with antibiotics is efficacious, so early prognosis and scientific consideration are the most important.”Signs come with fever, non-healing pores and skin ulcer on the web site of an infection and swollen and painful lymph glands, the spokesperson mentioned.If the an infection is led to by means of drinking infected meals or water, the indications come with a sore throat, mouth sores, belly ache and diarrhea. If micro organism are inhaled, pneumonia can expand with signs together with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, dry cough and innovative weak point, the spokesperson added.County well being officers counsel citizens take the next steps to forestall publicity:
Use insect repellent throughout all outside task.Keep away from all touch with wild rodents.Don’t feed or trap any rodent or rabbit into your backyard or patio.Do away with piles of lumber, trash and weeds round your own home.Keep away from touching ill or useless animals or put on gloves if important.Don’t mow over useless animals.Don’t drink untreated floor water (lakes, ponds, rivers).Make sure to prepare dinner meat completely sooner than consuming.Stay pets on a leash whilst in spaces the place touch with natural world is imaginable.Seek the advice of veterinarian for any puppy interplay.Supply rapid veterinary deal with ill pets and don’t take care of ill pets with out the use of hand and face coverage.Tularemia can also be handled effectively and cured, however you’re steered to look your healthcare supplier for those who revel in any signs related to tularemia after being in spaces the place touch with natural world is imaginable.Most effective 9 human instances of tularemia had been present in Colorado ultimate yr, consistent with the Colorado Division of Public Well being and Setting (CDPHE).
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