South Central District Health is warning that ticks have caused a spread in a bacterial disease in livestock in rural Lincoln County, just south of Blaine County. Tularemia, or rabbit fever, is a potentially serious illness that occurs naturally in the United States. It's caused by a bacterium, Francisella tularensis, found in animals, especially rodents, rabbits and hares.
At least 10 sheep in the area have died of infections caused by tularemia, the agency reported. Currently, there are no human cases associated with the reported incident but the disease is very infectious.
People can be infected by being bitten by infected ticks, deerflies or other insects, handling infected animals, eating or drinking contaminated food or water and breathing in the bacteria.
Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough and progressive weakness. Other symptoms, depending on exposure, include ulcers on skin or the mouth, swollen and painful lymph glands and eyes, sore throat, pneumonia and chest pain. The onset of symptoms occurs approximately three to five days after exposure, but can take longer.
Open areas throughout Blaine, Camas and Lincoln counties have wild hares, or jackrabbits, and rabbits, so tularemia is present here and in much of southern Idaho, said Cheryle Becker, a South Central District Health epidemiologist.
"Ticks are present right now, and more so than in past years. Prevention is the main course of action. There isn't a widely available vaccine, just like with West Nile. You have to make sure you're preventing the tick bites."
Most often found in grassy areas, ticks don't travel far, but may latch onto humans or pets through direct contact with plants or animals, and sometimes bedding. The district recommends wearing long pants when in areas where ticks might be present, and tucking pant legs into socks. For further protection against ticks and mosquitoes, use insect repellent containing DEET, or treat clothing with repellent.
Conduct body searches after outings and remove any ticks with tweezers as close to the skin as possible. If a tick is found, it should be removed with tweezers or a notched tick extractor. If the mouth parts of the tick break off and remain in the skin, see a doctor.
"Wash hands often, using soap and warm water, especially after handling animal carcasses. Be sure to cook food thoroughly and that water is from a safe source," Becker said.
Note any change in the behavior of pets or livestock, and consult a veterinarian if they develop unusual symptoms.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
