Colorado health officials have recorded 11 human cases of tularemia since May, putting the state on pace for one of the most widespread years for the disease in more than two decades.
Last year, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recorded 16 human cases, representing the second highest number of cases since 1983 when there were 20.
Before 2014, the previous average was fewer than four cases a year.
“People can get tularemia if they handle infected animals, such as rabbits, rodents or hares, or are bitten by ticks or deer flies,” CDPHE said in a Wednesday news release. “They also can be exposed by touching contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water or inhaling bacteria.”
Two Weld County men were diagnosed with tularemia — also known as rabbit fever — last week and health officials believe both were most likely exposed while mowing or working in their yards.
“We are seeing an unusually high number of human tularemia cases along the Front Range this year,” Dr. Mark E. Wallace, executive director of the Weld County Health Department, said last week in a statement. “The public really needs to be cautious and not get exposed to this disease.”
A Boulder County resident who contracted tularemia last month after doing yardwork later died. That person’s case was the first in Boulder County this year.
Tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Untreated tularemia can lead to hospitalization and may even be fatal.
Health officials say tularemia can be avoided by wearing gloves while gardening or landscaping, using a dust mask when mowing or doing yard work, disposing of animal carcasses by using a long-handled shovel to place them in a garbage bag and wearing insect repellent when outdoors.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
