Jefferson County, CO--Jefferson
County Public Health (JCPH) is reminding residents that along with warm weather
this summer residents may be exposed to wild animals and insect that carry the
following diseases. Rabies, West Nile Virus, Western Equine
Encephalitis, Zika Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Bubonic Plague,
Tularemia, and Colorado Tick
Fever. There diseases can be carried
by wild animals and insects (rodents, rabbits, squirrels, mosquitoes, fleas,
and ticks) and then transmitted to humans.
JCPH encourages
everyone to protect their family and pets by taking the following
precautions. Always wear insect
repellant and appropriate clothing when enjoying outdoor activities. Control the presence of rodents and
mosquitoes around their home by sealing all openings and removing standing
water. Vaccinate all of your pet cats,
dogs, ferrets, and valuable livestock for rabies and provide fleas and tick
protection. Do not to handle sick or
dead animals or animal waste, and contact your local animal control agency for
assistance in dealing with domestic or wild life encounters.
Rabies
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans
and other mammals. People and domestic pets can get rabies from the bite
of a rabies-infected animal (rabid animal). Any wild mammal, such
as raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat can have rabies and transmit it to people
through a bite. It is also possible, although rare, for persons to get rabies
when infectious material, such as saliva from a rabid animal, gets into an
individual's eyes, nose, mouth or open wound.
Bats are
by far the most common carriers of rabies in Colorado and Jefferson County but
skunk rabies has returned to Colorado and several skunks have tested positive
for rabies in 2016 in Jefferson County. Because
rabies is a fatal disease and skunk rabies is now in the Denver metro area
everyone should take steps to protect your family and pets against rabies. The best and most economical way is to have a
licensed veterinarian vaccinate all your domestic cats, dogs, ferrets, and
valuable horses and livestock against rabies.
It’s important to vaccinate your pets even if they stay indoors because
rabid bats have been found inside homes as well as outdoors. Protect your home from wildlife and insects
by making sure all windows, doors or other openings are always closed and have
screens that are in good condition. Keep
your home and yard clutter free and seal any openings.
Bites and Exposures: If bitten
by a bat, dog, cat, raccoon or other mammal, wash the affected area thoroughly
and seek medical advice immediately. Contact your local animal control agency
with the location of the animal so the animal can be collected to undergo
appropriate testing or quarantine. If your pet comes into contact with a
wild mammal and is unvaccinated (and the wild animal is not available for
rabies testing to rule out rabies) your pet is subject to euthanasia or, a strict
4 month quarantine at a secure facility such as an animal boarding facility or
veterinarian clinic.
West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis
(WEE)
These diseases are carried by mosquitoes and can be passed on to humans through
the a mosquito bite. Both diseases can
also cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain
and spinal cord. Encephalitis can be life
threatening for anyone and is particularly serious for those whose ability to
fight off infections is compromised.
The
mosquitoes of greatest concern concerning WNV in Jefferson County are Culex
tarsalis and Culex pipiens, these mosquitoes feed primarily in the few hours at
dawn and dusk. Dead birds are no longer
tested for WNV testing but residents can report dead bird findings to the
Colorado Help Line at 1- 877-462-2911.
Preventing WNV: The best way to
prevent mosquito-borne disease is to mosquito proof your home and
backyard. Prevent mosquito bites by
wearing appropriate clothing and wear insect repellent
according to the label
directions when conducting all outdoor activities. This is especially important during dawn or
dusk, when Culex mosquitoes are active.
For a complete list of repellants and their effectiveness, please visit
the JCPH website at jeffcou.us/public-health.
Culex
mosquitoes breed in almost any source of standing water, including old tires,
irrigated fields, flowerpots, tree holes, or any puddle of water that lasts for
more than a few days. Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still
water, which hatch into adult mosquitoes in as few as 2-3 days. Eliminating
standing water every two to three days will keep mosquitoes from breeding.
Symptoms: Although
most people who are infected with mosquito-borne viruses do not become ill and
have no symptoms, others may develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after being
bitten. Symptoms may include fever, headache, and tiredness lasting about 2-7
days. In some cases, the virus can cause a more serious brain infection such as
aseptic meningitis or encephalitis. These infections begin with a sudden onset of high fever and a headache, and then may
progress to stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, and coma. Severe infections
can result in permanent impairment or death. There is no specific treatment for
infection with these viruses except supportive care.
Zika Virus
Zika virus is spread to people
primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae.
aegypti and Ae. albopictus).
Local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has been reported in the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The
number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States
is projected to increase as we head into the spring and summer.
The
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suspects that Aedes species mosquito
could carry the Zika virus well beyond the Southeast during the summer into the Midwest
and Northeast. The Zika virus can also be spread during sex by a man infected with Zika
to his male or female partners. Some non-travelers in the
United States have become infected with Zika through sex with a traveler.
Public Health’s top priority
for the Zika response is to protect pregnant women and their fetuses. The range
of health effects linked with Zika infection during pregnancy as well as how
many and which pregnancies may be at risk of poor outcomes are essential pieces
of information for the public health
response to the Zika outbreak
Symptoms: Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the
disease because they won’t have symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are
fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms
include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure
to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few
days to a week. See your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are pregnant
and develop a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after
traveling to a place where Zika has been reported. Be sure to tell your doctor
or other healthcare provider where you traveled. The illness is usually mild
with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.
Everyone should always practice the 4 Ds during the upcoming
mosquito season to prevent any mosquito borne diseases such as WNV, Dengue, or
Zika. The most effective way to protect
yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes is to use insect repellant for all
outdoor activities, even to pick up the mail or going out to get in your car.
Bubonic Plague
Bubonic Plague is a disease caused by a bacterium named Yersinia pestis. These
bacteria can be transmitted to humans by the bites of infected fleas or by
direct contact with infected animals. Plague is frequently detected in rock
squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats and other species of ground squirrels and
chipmunks. It is also found in fox squirrels, a tree squirrel common in front
range city parks and residential areas.
Symptoms: The incubation period for plague is usually 2-6
days. Typical symptoms include sudden onset of fever and chills, severe
headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and a general feeling of systemic
illness. Lymph node pain and swelling is a suggestive symptom of bubonic
plague. Treatment with antibiotics is effective during the early stages of
disease.
Preventing plague: The best way to prevent plague is to control
the presence of rodents and fleas in and around the home. In addition, people
should avoid contact with any species of wild rodents, especially sick or dead
rodents. Dogs and cats should be confined so they cannot prey on infected
rodents and then bring the disease home with them. Pet owners who live close to
rodent populations should use flea control products recommended by their
veterinarian. Controlling fleas on pets will prevent the transfer of fleas to
humans. If these reasonable precautions
are taken, the probability of contracting plague is extremely low.
If a dead
rabbit, squirrel, prairie dog or other rodent is found, do not directly handle
the animal. Use gloves and place in a plastic bag. Large die-offs of dead
squirrels, prairie dogs, other rodents and rabbits should be reported to JCPH
Environmental Health Services at 303-232-6301.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a serious respiratory disease caused by
a virus (hantavirus). Hantavirus is carried by wild rodents, particularly deer
mice, and is present in their droppings (feces), urine and saliva. These dried
droppings or urine can be stirred up in dust and breathed in by people. People
may get hantavirus when they breathe in air contaminated by the virus.
Hantavirus has not been shown to infect other kinds of animals, such as dogs,
cats, or farm animals. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from
human to human.
Symptoms: The incubation period (time between exposure and
appearance of symptoms) varies widely, but ranges from 1 to 6 weeks, with an
average of 2-3 weeks. First symptoms of HPS include fever, headache, and muscle
pain, severe abdominal, joint and lower back pain, nausea and vomiting. A cough
and shortness of breath usually develops 1 to 5 days after the onset of
symptoms. The primary symptom of HPS is difficulty in breathing due to fluid
build-up in the lungs. This can quickly progress to respiratory failure.
Preventing Hantavirus: The best
way to prevent the risk of hantavirus infection is to control the presence of
rodents in and around the home. This includes sealing up rodent entry holes or
gaps; trapping mice and rats; and, being careful not to create food sources for
the rodents, i.e. keeping yard clean and putting away pet food. Hantavirus is
often encountered when cleaning vacated sheds, cabins or other enclosed areas,
so it is especially important that areas where rodents have been are cleaned
cautiously and carefully. Areas should not be swept or vacuumed as this can
stir up dust. Instead, use gloves and thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a
bleach solution or household disinfectant. Once wet, contaminated materials can
be taken up with damp towel and then mopped or sponged with bleach solution or
household disinfectant. Contaminated
gloves should be disinfected before taking them off. After taking off the clean
gloves, wash hands with soap and warm water.
Colorado Tick Fever
Colorado tick fever is caused by a virus that thrives in the environment
through a rodent-tick-rodent cycle. The virus can be transmitted to humans by
the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain wood tick. Ticks emerge in the mountains
of Colorado in late March and are present throughout the summer with the peak
season occurring in late May through early June.
Symptoms: Colorado tick fever is the most common tick-borne
disease in Colorado. However, it is believed that most cases go unrecognized.
This viral illness is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, nausea,
abdominal pain, and lethargy. Symptoms usually last 4-5 days, followed by an
apparent recovery, and then a relapse with symptoms for 2-3 more days. Complete
recovery can take 2 or 3 weeks. The
disease is not life threatening and infection results in life-long immunity.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky
Mountain spotted fever is a rare disease caused by a bacterium, Rickettsia and
transmitted to humans through the bite of the Rocky Mountain wood tick and
American dog tick. Ticks can carry spotted fever organisms (rickettsia) and
infect humans via a bite at any time during the year.
Symptoms: The initial symptoms, which follow an incubation
period of 3 to 14 days, are "flu-like": there may be sudden onset of
high fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. A rash often appears a few days
later. This rash spreads rapidly over the entire body and may even be seen on
the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can
be fatal if medical attention and treatment is delayed. The illness can be
treated with antibiotics.
Prevention: When going to the mountains, people are advised to
wear light-colored clothing, tuck trousers into the tops of socks and
shirttails into trousers, and to apply a small amount of an insect repellant
containing DEET on clothing. Frequent “tick checks” should be performed every
two to three hours especially in key areas such as the back, scalp and behind
the ears. Once embedded in the skin, a tick can be removed by using a pair of
tweezers to grasp the tick and gently but firmly pull backwards, without
crushing the tick or leaving the mouthparts in the skin. Avoid crushing tick
between fingers as infection can occur if the rickettsia bacteria enter the
skin. Washing hands and applying an antiseptic to the bite after removal is advised. Ticks should always be removed carefully and
as soon as possible to prevent disease transmission.
A tick
must be attached for several hours for the disease to be spread.
Tularemia
Tularemia
is bacterial disease associated with various animal species, especially
rodents, rabbits, hares and beavers.
Tularemia is now being found every year in Jefferson County and has
already been detected in several counties in Colorado in 2015. Humans can be
infected with the bacteria, which is treatable with appropriate antibiotics.
People can get tularemia from many different sources including through the bite
of an infected insect (usually a tick or deerfly), handling infected animal
carcasses, consuming contaminated food or water, or by inhalation of the
bacteria. Although this disease can
occur throughout the year, the peak times correspond with tick season (in
spring and summer and with the rabbit hunting season in early winter. Tularemia
is not spread from person to person.
Symptoms: Symptoms of
Tularemia disease usually appear 3-5 days after exposure and can include a
sudden high fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain, and a
sore or lesion at the site where the bacteria entered the body. In addition, if the bacteria are ingested,
such as by swallowing contaminated water or eating improperly cooked/prepared
rabbit meat, a person may have a sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting or
diarrhea. If any of these symptoms are
noted after handling dead animals or swallowing untreated drinking water (as
you find in a creek), contact your physician.
Recommendations for avoiding exposure to
tularemia include the following:
Do not handle sick or dead animals. Instruct children to leave wildlife alone. When mowing, gardening, or landscaping: don’t
mow over sick or dead animals; when
possible, check the area for carcasses prior to mowing; Use of masks during
mowing and other landscaping activities may reduce your risk of inhaling the
bacteria, but this has not been studied. Wear rubber gloves when skinning or
handling animals, especially rabbits. Thoroughly cook meat from wild game,
especially rabbit and squirrel meat, before eating. Use protective clothing and insect repellents
to avoid deerfly and tick bites. Conduct frequent “tick checks”. Avoid untreated drinking water. Use DEET or other tick repellant during the
Colorado tick season. Ticks emerge in the mountains of Colorado in late March
and are present throughout the summer with the peak season occurring generally
in late May through early June.
For more information on animal borne disease
and prevention please call JCPH Environmental Health Services Zoonosis Program
at 303-271-5700 or visit JCPH at jeffco.us/public-health.
Information is also available on the Colorado Department of Health and
Environment web site: www.cdphe.state.co.us or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) at www.cdc.gov .
