Tularemia, also known as “Rabbit Fever”, is a potentially fatal bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis. People and many animals, including rodents, pets, and livestock, can get tularemia. You or your pet may get tularemia from:

• Bites from infected ticks or deer flies
• Ingesting contaminated meat or water
• Touching sick animals
• Inhaling the bacteria

Infected animals may be depressed, have a fever, or refuse to eat. Infected rabbits and rodents may have a rough hair coat and huddle together strangely. Tularemia is not uncommon on the Western Slope, and there was a case of a cat with tularemia in Delta County in 2011.

Symptoms in humans depend on the route of infection. If infected through the skin, a non-healing wound and swollen lymph nodes may appear. If ingested, people may experience generalized gastrointestinal illness. If inhaled, pneumonia-like symptoms may appear.

If detected early, tularemia can be treated with antibiotics. To keep yourself safe, remember to avoid contact with all wild animals, wear insect repellant, and check yourself for ticks. 

Links
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Tularemia 
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Tularemia 
Center for Food Security and Public Health: Tularemia

Colorado Tick Fever
Colorado Tick Fever is a non-fatal viral disease that is transmitted by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. You may experience a fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms may come and go for several weeks, followed by recovery. After infection, you are immune to Colorado Tick Fever.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a serious disease that can be fatal. Luckily, if diagnosed early, it is treatable. RMSF is also transmitted by the bite of a Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, and can cause illness is humans and dogs. Generally, it causes flu-like symptoms after a 3-14 day incubation period. In most human cases, a rash follows.

Relapsing Fever
Unlike Colorado Tick Fever and RMSF, Relapsing Fever is caused by the bite of an infected soft tick. Soft ticks are generally associated with wild rodents. Relapsing Fever is often mistaken for Lyme disease, as symptoms are similar. High fevers and joint pain are experienced for several days, then recede, followed by relapsing cycles of these symptoms. Relapsing Fever can usually be treated with antibiotics.

Tips to Avoid Ticks 

• Stay on trails and avoid tall grass or leaf litter 
• Wear tall socks, long pants, and long sleeves 
• Use insect repellents with at least 20% DEET 
• Conduct full body tick checks 
• Check clothing, gear, and pets for ticks

Links
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Tick Borne Diseases 
Colorado Department of Public Health: Tick Borne Diseases 
Center for Food Security and Public Health: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Head lice are blood sucking parasites that can infest people. Although they do not transmit disease, they can cause severe itching, sores, restlessness, and irritation.

Adults, nymphs, and eggs are very small and can be difficult to find. A magnifying glass is often helpful when examining the scalp. Adults are very small white to tan, fast moving insects. The viable eggs, also called nits, can be found very close to the scalp and are only visible as grey-white specks.

                                                   

Because school age children generally have close contact with each other, most schools have policies to prevent the spread of head lice. After an infestation is discovered, children are often excluded from schools until they have been treated. The school nurse will often assist in inspection.

Both prescription and over the counter medications are available to treat head lice. Vacuuming, disinfecting combs and brushes, and washing clothing and bedding in hot water will help control the spread of head lice in your home.

Head Lice Facts

• Head lice do not spread disease.
• You cannot get head lice from pets and animals.
• Head lice cannot jump or fly; they can only be spread by close contact with people, clothing, or personal items such as brushes and caps.
• Hatched eggs or dead lice can be confused with dandruff, styling product debris, or dirt.
• Head lice do not necessarily reflect hygiene. They spread easily, and some even prefer clean hair.
• People with long and short hair can have head lice.
• Head lice can be found on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard, but they are different from the
• Lice found on other parts of the body.

Links 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Head Lice 
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Guidelines for Child Care Providers 
• A Parent’s Guide to Head Lice
• Una Guia Para Padres De Familia Sobre Los Piojos De Cabeza

Bedbug infestations

We don’t investigate bedbug infestations because they're considered a nuisance and not a health problem. Information about bedbugs is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Recommendations for addressing a bedbug infestation: Contact a licensed pest control operator who's experienced and knowledgeable in the inspection, identification and extermination of bedbugs. Using insecticides on your own can be dangerous and ineffective, and may even spread the infestation. A worldwide problem, bed bugs have made a reappearance in North America and even Delta County. Like head lice, bed bugs do not transmit disease. However, they are blood sucking parasites that can cause itching, restlessness, and discomfort. Bed bugs are small, brown, and flat, and feed on the blood of people, or occasionally animals, while they sleep. Bed bugs can be very difficult and expensive to eliminate because they can live in the environment for months without feeding. They can hide in wall cracks and corners, and travel throughout buildings.

Signs of Bed Bugs on People

• Itching
• Red bites
• Bites on the face, neck, arms, and hands
• Bites on body after sleeping

Signs of Bed Bugs in the Environment

• Bed bug exoskeletons after molting
• Bed bugs in mattress folds or sheets
• Rusty colored blood spots on mattresses, sheets, furniture, or clothing from bed bug fecal material
• Sweet musty odor

Facts

• Bed bugs do not transmit disease
• Bed bugs do not always reflect hygiene. They have been found in five star hotels and resorts, regardless of cleanliness.
• Bed bugs are great hitchhikers! They can grab a ride on clothes, backpacks, and suitcases.
• Bed bugs usually live within 8 feet of where people sleep – including bedrooms, airplanes, trains, motels, dorm rooms, and cruise ships!
• Bed bugs can be seen without a microscope.

Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs from Invading your Home

• Be cautious when acquiring used furniture.
• Do not pick up disregarded beds, couches, or other furniture from the curb.
• Carefully examine used furniture and clothing, and launder before bringing into your home.
• Perform frequent inspections in your home, apartment, or motel room.
• Never place your suitcase on a motel bed or floor.

Links 
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Bed Bugs 
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Bed Bugs 
CDC Environmental Health: Bed Bugs 
Bed Bug Fact Sheet 
Bed Bugs: What Schools Need to Know 
Michigan’s Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite