San Juan Basin Public Health reminds residents to be aware of animal-borne (known as zoonotic) diseases, which people can contract more easily during warm weather months when humans and animals are in close contact more frequently.
Zoonotic diseases to be aware of include:
Rabies: an infectious viral disease of the nervous system. Rabies is contracted from the bite of a rabies-infected (known as rabid) animal. Bats found indoors should be trapped and tested for rabies. To report a suspect animal, call the health department at 247-5702.Plague: caused by bacteria transmitted via bites of infected fleas or direct contact with infected animals. Plague is frequently detected in rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats and other species of ground squirrels and chipmunks. People can report suspected prairie-dog die-offs to the health department.West Nile Virus: carried by mosquitoes and transmitted through mosquito bites. West Nile can cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain and the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Residents should empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths regularly to reduce mosquito numbers.Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: a severe, occasionally fatal, respiratory disease. Hantavirus is present in the droppings, urine and saliva of wild rodents, particularly deer mice. People can contract hantavirus if air or dust is contaminated with dried droppings or urine is inhaled. To reduce risk, wear a mask before cleaning droppings, open windows and doors to ventilate affected rooms and disinfect areas with a bleach solution.Tularemia: maintained in rodent rabbit populations and transmitted via insect bites, direct transmission, inhalation or ingestion. Infective doses of tularemia can persist for long periods of time in water, soil and carcasses. To avoid contact with bacteria, people should remove sick or dead animals before using machinery to mow or landscape, wear masks when mowing or landscaping, use gloves to handle animals, especially rabbits, muskrats, prairie dogs and other rodents and ensure game-meat is thoroughly cooked before consumption.Colorado tick fever: a viral illness characterized by fever, headache, body aches, nausea, abdominal pain and lethargy, and the most common tick-borne disease in Colorado. The disease is not life-threatening and an infection will result in lifelong immunity. However, complete recovery can take two to three weeks. A preventive vaccine or effective treatment does not currently exist.Rocky Mountain spotted fever: a serious disease transmitted by infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks that causes a sudden onset of high fever, headache, chills and muscle aches and rash that often appears after a few days. Prompt medical attention is crucial; the illness can be fatal if treatment, a course of antibiotics, is delayed.Residents are urged to:
Control the presence of rodents and mosquitoes around their homes.Apply insect repellent and wear appropriate clothing outdoors..Ensure pets receive current vaccinationsProtect pets from fleas and ticks.Avoid contact with dead animals, animal waste and wild animals, especially animals that appear sick.Parents should also speak to their children about these precautions.
For more information, visit www.sjbpublichealth.org/communicable-disease, www.colorado.gov/cdphe or www.cdc.gov.
