Tularemia Alert: Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment Confirms First Human Case of Rare Rabbit Fever in the County

by Margaret Davis

The Pueblo County, Colorado Department of Heath confirmed that a child in Pueblo County had been infected with a rare infectious disease called tularemia or rabbit fever. Tularemia may be present in some animals, particularly rabbits, rodents, and hares. It can be spread by physical contact or droplets to the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and lungs. Pulmonary tularemia is particularly deadly. Dogs and cats who also got infected. Even mowing over dead infected carcasses can project the bacteria into the air, and anyone handling suspect animal carcasses should wear protective gloves.