United States: Boulder County has reported its first case of tularemia this year, which is a rare disease spread by insects. The person started feeling sick on October 2.
They first had a fever, but then their symptoms got worse, affecting their thinking and causing fluid in their lungs. Doctors found that they had pneumonic tularemia, a serious form of the disease that affects breathing.
As reported by the Denver Post, taking measures around wild animals and giving them a wide berth, is therefore advisable since tularemia, though not very common, is dangerous to human health, according to spokesperson of Boulder County Public Health, Carly Wilson.
“If you have a fever and know that tularemia has been identified in your community, or if you suspect that you may have been infected, tell your doctor.”
Local departments of health stressed that those living in a county can contract the disease through the bite of infected insects like ticks and deer flies, by handling infected animal carcasses.
They can also be passed through contact with larger animals, such as rabbits or outdoor pets, and can be inhaled if infected animal particles are dispersed in the air, said the county health officers.
Boulder County confirms year’s first human case of tularemia https://t.co/Va86BhYmNu pic.twitter.com/oaWQyvC8Wn
— Longmont Times-Call (@TimesCall) November 1, 2024
The signs and signals vary which are common with fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and other respiratory reactions or the flu like a cold.
The infected person from Boulder County revealed that he or she was in contact with a cat and a dog which the person was possibly shedding the virus, but the animals are so far symptom free.
The individual could not remember having been bitten by any insect very recently, though it was for this reason that officials of the county pointed to the infection source.
To keep residents safe, public health officials recommend:
- Staying away from parts of the home that are usually occupied by wild forms of rabbits and rodents. If people do access these areas they should apply insect repellent containing DEET.
- Keeps pets from chasing or eating wild animals.
- Do not touch or feed wild rabbits and rodents including the squirrels; keep off them.
- Failure to use bare hands when handling a sick or dead animal. Take an extra long-handled shovel and sometimes a trash bag to put the animals away and then throw the bag into a bin located outdoors.
- Staying away from water sources with untreated water from the streams and lakes.
- Not rolling over dead animals on lawns and using dust mask while doing yard work.
- Seeking medical care if they experience high fever and or swollen lymph nodes and consult a veterinarian if their pet shows similar symptoms.