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FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — The Larimer County Department of Health has confirmed the first human case in 2015 of tularemia, otherwise knowns as "rabbit fever."
The Reporter-Herald of Loveland reports (http://bit.ly/1R8UvZw ) that Larimer County spokeswoman Katie O'Donnell says the person was infected while planting trees or gardening. Soil can be contaminated by bacteria from the droppings or urine of sick animals and bacteria can enter the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions.
O'Donnell says there was a recent confirmation of a dog in the southern part of the county and rabbits in the west. The human case was in northern Larimer County.
Tularemia symptoms include fever, sore throat and swollen glands. It can be fatal if untreated.
It's often transmitted to people handling infected rabbits, hares, beavers and muskrats.
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Information from: Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald, http://www.reporterherald.com/
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