Tularemia detected in Northern Colorado after dead rabbit discovered in Berthoud

photo of two rabbits in a forest

Tularemia has been detected in Northern Colorado after a dead rabbit was discovered in a Berthoud neighborhood. According to Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, the bacteria was identified in a dead rabbit.  Health officials said that because tularemia is natural to Larimer County, it is likely present in other areas throughout the county.  They are reminding residents and visitors that a few simple precautions can help prevent illness from rabbits, ticks and other wildlife while enjoying the outdoors.  According to LCDHE, tularemia is a rare but potentially serious bacterial infection found in local wildlife, especially rabbits and rodents.

Health officials said it can spread to humans through bites from infected ticks and deer flies, direct contact with sick or dead animals and contaminated soil, water and vegetation.  Common symptoms, according to LCDHE, include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin ulcers. When diagnosed early, tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics. In Larimer County, there have been seven human cases of tularemia since 2020. In Larimer County, there have been 7 human cases of tularemia since 2020.  “Because tularemia is present in Larimer County, it’s important to take steps to avoid infection,” said Dr. Paul Mayer, the health department’s Medical Officer, in a statement.

He recommends that residents and visitors always “use effective insect repellent, check skin for ticks after being outdoors, and keep children and pets away from wild animals, including rabbits and squirrels.” Additional Information from LCDHE: To help reduce your risk of tularemia,

LCDHE recommends the following precautions when spending time outdoors:

  • Wear gloves while gardening and wash hands before eating or touching your face
  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent effective against ticks and biting flies (such as DEET or picaridin)
  • Wear a dust mask when mowing, using a leaf blower, or digging in soil
  • Wear shoes outdoors, especially in areas where dead animals may have been
  • Use protective gloves to remove dead rabbits or rodents from your property 

Source: Tularemia detected in Northern Colorado after dead rabbit discovered in Berthoud – CBS Colorado

Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9

Feeling Alone? God Sees You

Even when you feel invisible in your struggle, God sees every tear, every burden, and every silent prayer. Your exhaustion has not escaped His attention. “The Lord is close to the…

Keep reading

Jesus Revolution

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together…

Keep reading

Letters to God

Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer. Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler’s prayers take…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.