Phoenix. Because of recent cases of plague and tularemia infection in humans and animals, the Arizona Department of Health Services has issued an advisory to those who might be spending time outdoors this fall.

A case of plague was confirmed in an Apache County child earlier this year, and a Coconino County man was suspected of having the disease. Tularemia, also called rabbit fever, was diagnosed in a Navajo County woman. All of the patients were treated promptly and are doing well, said Craig Levy, MS, program manager of the vectorborne and zoonotic disease section of the health department.

Plague also has caused the deaths of prarie dogs in two areas west of Flagstaff, and tularemia has been found in rodents and rabbits in Maricopa County.

Both are bacterial diseases spread by insect bites – fleas in the case of plague and deer flies in the case of tularemia – and contact with infected rabbits and rodents. Cats also are susceptible to plague infection and can spread the disease through their secretions.

Symptoms of the diseases are fever, headache, nausea, weakness or fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes, painful in the case of plague. An ulcerated infection site also is seen in tularemia.

The advisory was issued before the opening of the state’s major hunting season Oct. 13, because infection can occur when hunters skin or handle wild game, Levy said. The health department also notified hospitals, infection control departments, ERs and veterinarians, Levy said.

These potentially serious diseases are preventable and treatable, Levy said. "The whole key to this is prompt recognition and appropriate treatment," he said.

NEWS AND TRENDS | CAREER CENTER | EDUCATION
Home | Resources
Site Index | Contact Us | FAQs | Subscribe | Advertise