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Case of Rabbit Fever Confirmed in Bear River Corridor
Release Date: Aug 25, 2015
Media Contact: Aaron Voos, (307) 745-2323
(YAMPA, Colo.) Aug. 25, 2015 –
Routt National Forest officials are urging visitors to pay special attention to wildlife and to keep an eye on their pets after a rabbit recently tested positive in the Bear River Corridor for the bacterial disease tularemia, better known as rabbit fever.
The case has prompted U.S. Forest Service staff to post signage in the area and issue statements regarding the possible danger to Forest users.
The diseased rabbit was discovered by campers at a dispersed site near Bear Lake last week. Routt County Health Department and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed the diagnosis.
Area dispersed camp sites will remain open, since the incident is isolated and risk to the public is low.
Tularemia is naturally occurring in the ecosystem, is fairly common in rodents and rabbits, and occasionally spills over into other host species. It may be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, ticks, deer flies, or other insects.
To prevent exposure to tularemia, take the following precautions:
- Never touch sick or dead animals with your bare hands.
- Wear shoes and do not go barefoot in an area where dead animals have been found. The bacteria can persist in the environment for several months.
- Avoid drinking unpurified water from streams or lakes and keep your pets from doing the same.
- Wear an insect repellent effective against ticks, biting flies and mosquitoes if you are in areas where sick animals have been found. Repellents containing DEET are a good choice for humans.
- See a healthcare provider if you become ill with a high fever and/or swollen lymph nodes. Tularemia is a treatable illness when properly diagnosed.
- Protect your pets. Prevent them from hunting or eating wild rodents, especially rabbits. See a veterinarian if your pet becomes ill with a high fever and/or swollen lymph nodes.
The website www.cdc.gov/tularemia is the best place to obtain information on the disease.
For area-specific information contact the Yampa Ranger District, 300 Roselawn Avenue, Yampa, CO, (970)638-4516, visit our website at http://fs.usda.gov/mbr, or follow the MBRTB on Twitter, @FS_MBRTB.