San Juan Basin Public Health reminds residents that the risk of contracting certain animal-borne diseases increases as residents spend more time outdoors.
Zoonotic diseases are more common during warm weather months when humans and animals are frequently in close contact. SJBPH stresses the importance of controlling the presence of rodents and mosquitoes around homes as well as wearing insect repellent and appropriate clothing when heading outdoors.
Pets should be kept up to date on vaccinations, and protected from fleas and ticks. Wild animals should not be fed or handled, especially those that appear sick, nor should dead animals or animal waste be handled. It is important that children are also aware of these precautions.
For more information on animal-borne diseases like rabies, plague, West Nile virus, hantavirus, tularemia and tick-borne diseases, visit www.sjbpublichealth.org/communicabledisease or www.cdc.gov.
