A disease named rabbit fever that is spread to humans from animals and insects is reported to have found in North Dakota.

Rabbit fever also known as tularemia is caused when bacteria named Francisella tularensis from ticks and deer flies are transmitted to humans and animals. When pets consume the dead remains of an infected animal it gets infected by the disease. On the other hand when human skin comes into contact with body fluids of infected animals, blood or infected tissues, ingest contaminated food or water or inhale dust or aerosol contaminated with the infectious agent they contract the disease.  

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According to the North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA), Animal Health Division, two confirmed cases in humans were reported in LaMoure County south of Jamestown in the southeast part of the state and in Burleigh County in the central part of the state, according to Grand Folk Herald.

One unconfirmed yet slightly positive rabbit fever case in humans is reported in Stark County in the western part of the state in the Dickinson area. As far as animals are concerned two primates from the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck and one squirrel from the Roosevelt Zoo in Minot were reported to have had the disease this summer.

Precautions are taken by the zoo authorities in giving protection to both animals and people. Though they don't restrict people from visiting the zoo they have given cautions to not touch the animals like rodents and squirrels suspecting the possibility of transmission of bacteria.  

"Symptoms of tularemia may include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, diarrhea, sore throat and cough. When a person is bitten by an infected tick or deer fly or handles an infected animal, an ulcer may appear where the bacteria entered the skin, and lymph nodes may also become swollen and painful," said Laura Cronquist, epidemiologist with the health department.

She also added that "If people have symptoms of tularemia, it is important they tell their healthcare provider about any potential exposures, including contact with sick or dead animals and tick or deer fly bites," according to Inforum.

TagsRabbit Fever, Tularemia, Fever, North Dakota, diarrhea