Boulder County has reported its first confirmed case of tularemia — a uncommon, insect-borne illness — this yr, county officers mentioned Sunday.
The Boulder County resident started experiencing signs on Oct. 2, in keeping with a information launch from the county.
What started as a fever shortly progressed to an altered psychological state and fluid within the lungs, county officers mentioned within the launch. The particular person was additionally recognized with pneumonic tularemia, a uncommon respiratory type of the illness.
“It’s important to take precautions round wild animals and keep away from contact, as tularemia, whereas uncommon, poses critical well being dangers,” Boulder County Public Well being specialist Carly Wilson mentioned within the launch. “In the event you develop a fever and know tularemia has been present in your space, or if you happen to suppose you might have been uncovered, make sure you point out it to your healthcare supplier.”
County well being officers mentioned folks can catch tularemia by bites from contaminated bugs, mostly ticks and deer flies, or by contact with contaminated animal tissue.
The micro organism will also be carried by bigger animals, like rabbits or out of doors pets, or inhaled if contaminated animal particles turn into airborne, in keeping with county well being officers.
Signs of the illness differ however usually embody fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory signs much like a chilly or the flu.
The contaminated Boulder County resident advised county officers that they had contact with a cat and canine throughout their publicity interval, however neither animal has proven indicators of the illness.
The person couldn’t affirm in the event that they’d not too long ago been bitten by an insect, however county officers mentioned that continues to be the doable an infection supply.
To maintain residents secure, public well being officers suggest:
- Avoiding areas frequented by wild rabbits and rodents. If folks do enter these areas, they need to use insect repellent containing DEET.
- Stopping pets from searching or consuming wild animals.
- Avoiding contact with wild rabbits and rodents, together with squirrels; don’t feed or deal with them.
- Not touching sick or useless animals with naked fingers. Use a long-handled shovel and rubbish bag to eliminate animals and place the bag in an out of doors trash can.
- Avoiding untreated water from streams or lakes.
- Refraining from mowing over animal carcasses and contemplating carrying a mud masks when landscaping.
- Searching for medical care in the event that they expertise excessive fever and/or swollen lymph nodes and seek the advice of a veterinarian if their pet exhibits related signs.
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