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First Human Case of Tularemia Confirmed in Boulder County in 2024

Seguido en Español

Boulder County, Colo. —A human case of tularemia has been identified in Boulder County, marking the first reported case this year. The person affected resides near Boulder and began experiencing fever symptoms on Oct. 2. These progressed to altered mental status and fluid in the lungs. The individual has been diagnosed with pneumonic tularemia, a rare respiratory form of the disease.

The individual reported contact with a cat and dog during their exposure period, though neither animal has shown signs of illness. The individual could not confirm a recent insect bite, though this remains a possible source of infection.

Public health officials will post warning signs in the area to alert residents of tularemia risks and encourage precautions to prevent infection. People can contract tularemia through bites from infected insects, most commonly ticks and deer flies, or contact with infected animal tissues. The bacteria can also be inhaled if infected animal particles become airborne.

“It’s essential to take precautions around wild animals and avoid contact, as tularemia, while rare, poses serious health risks,” said Carly Wilson, Boulder County Public Health Vector Epidemiologist/Environmental Health Specialist. “If you develop a fever and know tularemia has been found in your area, or if you think you may have been exposed, be sure to mention it to your healthcare provider.”

Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, commonly found in wild animals, particularly rodents, rabbits and hares. Symptoms can vary but often include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory symptoms that may resemble cold or flu-like illness.

Public health officials recommend the following precautions:

• Avoid areas frequented by wild rabbits and rodents. If you do enter such areas, use insect repellent containing DEET.

• Prevent pets from hunting or consuming wild animals.

• Avoid contact with wild rabbits and rodents, including squirrels; do not feed or handle them.

• Do not touch sick or dead animals with bare hands. Use a long-handled shovel and garbage bag to dispose of animals, placing the bag in an outdoor trash can.

• Avoid drinking untreated water from streams or lakes.

• Refrain from mowing over animal carcasses, and consider wearing a dust mask when landscaping.

• Avoid tick exposure; keep pets, especially cats, indoors or away from tick-prone areas.

• Seek medical care if you experience high fever and/or swollen lymph nodes.

• Consult a veterinarian if your pet shows signs of illness with a high fever or swollen lymph nodes.

For more information on tularemia, visit www.cdc.gov/tularemia or www.boco.org/Tularemia, or contact Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1564. To report a rabbit die-off, please call 303-441-1564.

En Español

Se confirma el primer caso humano de tularemia en el Condado de Boulder en 2024

Condado de Boulder, Colo. —Se ha identificado un caso humano de tularemia en el Condado de Boulder, lo que marca el primer caso reportado este año. La persona afectada reside cerca de la ciudad de Boulder y comenzó a experimentar síntomas de fiebre el 2 de octubre. Estos progresaron a un estado mental alterado y líquido en los pulmones. Se le ha diagnosticado tularemia neumónica, una forma respiratoria rara de la enfermedad.

La persona informó haber tenido contacto con un gato y un perro durante su período de exposición, aunque ninguno de los animales ha mostrado signos de enfermedad. La persona no pudo confirmar una picadura de insecto reciente, aunque esta sigue siendo una posible fuente de infección.

Los funcionarios de salud pública colocarán carteles de advertencia en el área para alertar a los residentes sobre los riesgos de tularemia y alentarlos a tomar precauciones para prevenir la infección. Las personas pueden contraer tularemia a través de picaduras de insectos infectados, más comúnmente garrapatas y tábanos, o por contacto con tejidos animales infectados. La bacteria también puede inhalarse si las partículas animales infectadas se transmiten por el aire.

“Es esencial tomar precauciones cerca de animales salvajes y evitar el contacto, ya que la tularemia, aunque es poco común, plantea graves riesgos para la salud”, dijo Carly Wilson, epidemióloga de vectores de Salud Pública del Condado de Boulder y especialista en salud ambiental. “Si tiene fiebre y sabe que se ha detectado tularemia en su área, o si cree que puede haber estado expuesto, asegúrese de mencionarlo a su proveedor de atención médica”.

La tularemia es causada por la bacteria Francisella tularensis, que se encuentra comúnmente en animales salvajes, en particular roedores, conejos y liebres. Los síntomas pueden variar, pero a menudo incluyen fiebre, escalofríos, ganglios linfáticos inflamados y síntomas respiratorios que pueden parecerse a una enfermedad similar a la gripe o el resfriado.

Los funcionarios de salud pública recomiendan las siguientes precauciones:

• Evite las áreas frecuentadas por conejos y roedores salvajes. Si ingresa a dichas áreas, use repelente de insectos que contenga DEET.

• Evite que las mascotas cacen o consuman animales salvajes.

• Evite el contacto con conejos y roedores salvajes, incluidas las ardillas; no los alimente ni los manipule.

• No toque animales enfermos o muertos con las manos descubiertas. Use una pala de mango largo y una bolsa de basura para deshacerse de los animales, colocando la bolsa en un basurero al aire libre.

• Evite beber agua no tratada de arroyos o lagos.

• Absténgase de cortar el césped sobre cadáveres de animales y considere usar una máscara antipolvo cuando trabaje en el jardín.

• Evite la exposición a las garrapatas; mantenga a las mascotas, especialmente a los gatos, en el interior o lejos de áreas propensas a las garrapatas.

• Busque atención médica si tiene fiebre alta y/o ganglios linfáticos inflamados.

• Consulte a un veterinario si su mascota muestra signos de enfermedad con fiebre alta o ganglios linfáticos inflamados.

Para obtener más información sobre la tularemia, visite www.cdc.gov/tularemia o www.boco.org/Tularemia, o comuníquese con Salud Pública del Condado de Boulder al 303-441-1564. Para informar sobre la muerte de un conejo, llame al 303-441-1564.

What if the fall leaves gave us more than beautiful scenery?

Fall provides stunning views of bright golds, deep ochres and shocks of red. But what if the fall leaves gave us more than beautiful scenery?

Most of a tree’s nutrients end up in its leaves. Once they fall each autumn, the nutrients in the leaves can be returned to the earth to feed plants next season. In fact, the leaves from one average shade tree have as many nutrients as $50 of plant fertilizer. So, instead of piling your leaves into the trash, rake in the savings by composting them in your backyard or curbside bin.

While composting is an excellent way to reuse leaves, leaving a thin layer on the ground can also benefit your garden and local ecosystem. Excess leaves can harm your lawn and clog storm drains, but a few leaves left in garden beds, around tree bases, or gathered in a corral made from chicken wire will create cozy habitats for beneficial insects. When tidying up this fall and next spring, remember to leave a few leaves behind to support these small, helpful critters!

For those extra leaves that need to be removed, here are some fall lawn care tips to help you get started.

Remove Fallen Leaves

Rain and melting snow will carry leaves through storm drains directly to nearby streams. The nutrients in leaves can harm aquatic life. Too many fallen leaves can also smother your lawn, exposing it to mold and disease. Collecting leaves on and around your property helps keep your lawn healthy. And, a healthy lawn requires fewer chemicals, further protecting our streams and waterways.

Compost Fallen Leaves

Once you’ve done the hard work of collecting leaves, make sure you compost them for maximum benefit to your garden and the environment. Placing leaves in the trash creates methane, a gas that traps in heat and contributes to climate change. Here are two eco-friendly composting alternatives for you to consider:

Curbside composting: The easiest solution is to place your leaves in your curbside compost bin. This can be mixed with other yard waste and food scraps and is taken to a local commercial composting facility. Look for this compost bagged in a store near you.

You can also bring your compostable materials to the city’s Wood and Yard Waste drop-off center for a reduced fee.

Backyard composting: Another option is to take those nutrients from your yard’s leaves and return them directly to your garden. In your backyard compost bin, simply alternate layers of shredded leaf litter with nitrogen-rich content like kitchen waste, grass clippings or manure. Careful maintenance of your backyard compost pile will lead to nutrient-rich compost ready for the spring planting season.

Winterize Your Irrigation System

And finally, while you’re preparing your yard for winter, don’t forget to winterize your irrigation system. As temperatures drop, any water left in your pipes or sprinkler heads can freeze and expand, leading to costly damage. To avoid this, shut off your system, drain the pipes, and insulate any above-ground components. If you’re unsure how to safely drain your system, consider hiring a professional to use the blowout method. Taking these precautions now will protect your irrigation system and ensure it’s ready to go when spring arrives.

These simple steps will promote a healthy garden, protect your irrigation from freeze damage, and help safeguard our waterways. By preparing your yard now, you’ll set yourself up for success when spring rolls around.

Find more ways to prevent water pollution at www.keepitcleanpartnership.org.

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