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Doctor Says Spike In 'Rabbit Fever' Cases Should 'Be A Concern' For The Public

DENVER (CBS4) - A deadly disease carried by rabbits is on the rise in Colorado.

The number of human cases of tularemia -- also known as rabbit fever -- is 10 times higher this year than just two years ago.

Colorado residents say they're seeing rabbits everywhere and experts say that could have to do with all the rain this year because the of more lush vegetation.

Sunday was honey-do day for West Washington Park resident Aaron O'Hare.

"Mowing the lawn, watering it, pulling all the weeds," he said.

But that puts him at risk for tularemia, which is spread from mosquito bites, contact with infected dead animals, or even breathing in dust from animal droppings.

"All we see here is really squirrels, and an occasional raccoon, so it was odd seeing a rabbit the other day," O'Hare said.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 19 Coloradans have contracted tularemia so far this year. It's a 27 percent increase over all of the cases last year, and nearly 10 times the number in the previous year.

"This is a serious infection. There was a fatal case in Boulder," Dr. William Burman from the Denver Health Medical Center said. "So clearly it should be a concern for the public and for public health officials."

RABBIT BUNNY
(credit: CBS)

"It's kind of like I wish the coyotes were back," Centennial resident Bobby Heid said.

In Heid's neighborhood he says rabbits run rampant.

"They're nuisances. You can see where they've eaten holes in the yard, and they tear up the yard and there are droppings everywhere," he said.

Those who contract rabbit fever can have symptoms like the flu. If it's not treated it can be deadly.

"I hope I don't catch it, and I wish there was something we could do about knocking down this population," Heid said.

There are some ways to help get protection from the disease. Health officials recommend the following:

- Using insect repellent when outside.
- Wearing long pants and sleeves,
- Putting on gloves for doing yard work.

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