Rabbits, deer and rodents are carriers of the Tularemia virus.
In awe of the recent 15 diagnoses registered in Colorado, officials could issue a warning on possible rabbit fever outbreak to prevent people from getting infected. The disease is very common around this time of the year in Colorado, but medical experts fear that the situation could get worse if left untreated.
Tularemia, more commonly known as the ‘rabbit fever’, is usually spread by domestic and non-domestic animals, such as, rabbits and deer. The virus is rapidly spread among humans and it can turn out fatal if patients do not receive treatments during the early stages of the disease.
Humans are said to get the virus if bitten by insects that have been previously infected with the disease. The first symptoms are very similar to the ones of the common flu, which makes the disease all the more difficult to identify.
Patients, who have been diagnosed with Tularemia have complaint of swollen glands, chills, fever and headaches. The virus takes approximately 14 days to incubate, but humans begin to feel sick after just three days.
Medical experts are now concerned by the recent cases of rabbit fever that have been registered in Colorado. So far, 15 people are now under medical surveillance after contracting the virus in the past days.
The summer period is the perfect time of the year for the Tularemia virus to spread, which is why physicians are carrying out an informative campaign to help people protect themselves against the deadly virus.
According to them, humans must avoid contact with rabbits, deer and other rodent species as the latter may be contaminated. Ticks, mosquitos and other insects living in the close vicinity of these animals could also be carriers of the virus; therefore people must wear special protection to defend themselves.
It is recommended to wear long sleeves and pants that cover the skin during walks in nature – the favorite place of the Tularemia virus. As a consequence, suitable shoes and clothes must be worn to avoid contact with grass, plants and insects. Repellants are also highly effective as skin protection, especially during vacations.
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Melissa Gansler
