Grand Co. residents warned of insect-borne disease in Colo.

SALT LAKE CITY — Residents in Grand County are being cautioned against an infectious animal and insect-borne disease that has affected several people in Colorado this year.

The condition, called Tularemia, is picked up by contact with infected animals, eating or drinking tainted food or water, or being bitten by infected insects such as ticks and deer flies.

Twenty-seven cases of Tularemia have been reported in Colorado this year through August 14, as opposed to 16 confirmed cases in the state in all of 2014. Two women and one child were infected in Mesa County in recent days, all while spending time along the Colorado River, the Utah Department of Health and the Bureau of Land Management in Utah said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

Two cases of Tularemia have been reported in 2015, the agencies said. There are no confirmed cases in Grand County, which borders Mesa County, but residents are advised to avoid direct contact with wildlife.

"The BLM strongly encourages all visitors to areas where wildlife is active to take precautions to avoid exposure to tularemia and for those that believe they may have been exposed to seek timely medical attention," said Beth Ransel, a BLM field manager based in Moab.

The BLM and Utah Department of Health ask residents and visitors in Grand County to avoid feeding or handling wild animals, picking up dead animals, or spending time in thick brush while hiking or picnicking. Untreated water should be avoided and all game should be cooked to at least 165 degrees, the agencies said. Hikers, campers and others should wear pants, long socks and shirts with long sleeves to avoid contact with ticks and deer flies.

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