A rare, but serious type of bacteria infection with deadly potential has popped up in northern Colorado, prompting the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment to issue a warning to the public.

According to a press release from the agency, tularemia was detected in a dead rabbit located in an unidentified southwest Berthoud neighborhood. While rare, tularemia is endemic in Larimer County, meaning it can occur naturally. Given that it was detected in the aforementioned rabbit, health officials believe it’s likely present in other parts of the county, as well. Because of this, locals are encouraged to take extra precautions when it comes to protecting themselves and their pets. Tularemia has killed in the Centennial State before, with one such death taking place in 2015 when a Boulder County man died after encountering an infected rabbit carcass while mowing his lawn.

Tularemia typically spreads to humans via bites from infected ticks and deer flies that have had contact with sick or dead animals, or have been exposed to contaminated soil, water, or vegetation. As far as mammals go, rabbits and rodents (squirrels) are two animals that tend to fall victim to the infection.

If a human contracts tularemia, early antibiotic treatment can be effective in limiting its impact and is highly effective in preventing death. While this early treatment can bring death rates below one percent, if left untreated, that’s far from the case. While some studies indicate that untreated tularemia is fatal about five percent of the time, other studies indicate that it can result in a 10 to 50 percent death rate depending on the specific type of tularemia that’s involved. Meanwhile, those who are left untreated but do not succumb to the infection are often left with residual damage that includes scarring, lung and kidney damage, and muscle loss.

Because of how serious tularemia can be when not treated, it’s important to be on the lookout for symptoms that include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin ulcers.

In order for Coloradans to protect themselves from potential tularemia exposure, exercising caution around wildlife is crucial. Use effective insect repellent, check the body for ticks, and keep children and pets away from wild animals, especially rabbits and squirrels. Wear gloves while gardening and wash your hands before eating or touching your face. Wear a dust mask when moving, using a leaf blower, or digging in soil. Wear shoes outside. Use protective gloves when removing dead rodents or rabbits from your property.

As was previously noted, human cases of tularemia are rare in Colorado and highly treatable when caught early. That said, given the recent tularemia detection in Larimer County, Coloradans should be especially cautious when it comes to avoiding animal carcasses and bites from ticks and insects and should be aware of what the symptoms look like so that early treatment is possible.

Find the full press release about tularemia in Larimer County here.

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