There are many diseases that can be carried by animals and insects and then transmitted to humans. Here in Larimer County, some of the most common of these include Rabies, West Nile virus, Plague and Tularemia.
Many of these diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are carried by animals and insects. People can get these diseases from a variety of interaction between infected animals or infected soil or particles.
Health Department Role
As annoying as bed bugs are, they are NOT a public health threat. The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment does not track or monitor bed bug infestations, nor does the health department do any sort of case management related to bed bug infestations. If you suspect you have a bed bug problem, we recommend you call a professional exterminator for a consultation.
Increasing Bed Bug Problems
In general, bed bugs have become more because of increasing travel, increased reuse and re-sale of household furnishings, and an increase in the bugs' resistance to pesticides.
Recommendations to Deal with an Infestation
Since bed bugs can be very challenging to control, we recommend calling a professional exterminator. They can work with you to properly identify the pest and suggest an appropriate and effective treatment for the problem.
Bed bugs can be very difficult to exterminate from a site once they are established. Homeowners and businesses should be aware that some pesticides are not approved for use inside of the home/business site, or on surfaces such as mattresses where people will come in direct contact with that surface. For safe, lasting, and cost-effective results, it's best not to do it yourself. Application of pesticides is best addressed by a licensed pest control professional.
Possible Indicators of Bed Bugs
You're most likely to see a bed bug infestation on your mattress or pillow because you are more frequently at eye-level with a bed's surface and since you may wake up with visible and itchy bites. But bed bugs are very adept at hiding and reproducing behind floorboards and trim, in upholstered chairs and sofas, and even in the frames of televisions. They will hide until emerging when hungry. Luggage is another common way for bedbugs to get into a home. Be sure to check yours closely after your travels.
Diseases Associated with Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are not significant transmitters of disease; however, the bites can be itchy, and scratching the bites could possibly lead to other infections.
Bed Bugs & Cleanliness
A bed bug infestation does not necessarily indicate a lack of cleanliness of any particular home or lodging. Bedbugs can be introduced into even the cleanest, high-end homes, lodging establishments, apartments or office buildings. Adequate hiding places for the bed bugs (furniture, crevices, cracks, etc.) and a warm blooded host for blood meals are all that are needed to start an infestation once the pest is introduced.
For more information on bed bugs:
What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infection caused by Brucella species bacteria. It is an animal-borne disease that can be spread to humans. In animals the disease is also known as contagious abortion or Bang's disease. In humans, it's known as undulant fever because of the severe intermittent fevers.
How common is Brucellosis infection?
People in certain occupations or settings may face increased exposure to the bacteria that cause Brucellosis. These can include:
What are the symptoms of Brucellosis?
Brucellosis can cause of range of signs and symptoms, some of which may present for prolonged periods of time. Initial symptoms can include:
Some signs and symptoms may persist for longer periods of time. Others reoccur or may never go away. These can include:
The time it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure to Brucella is considered to be highly variable, with a range of five days to five months, with a few cases reporting periods as long as a year. The average is about two to four weeks.
The most obvious signs in pregnant animals are abortion or birth of weak calves. Milk production may be reduced from changes in the normal lactation period caused by abortions and delayed conceptions.
How is Brucellosis spread?
The bacteria are transmitted from animals to humans by ingestion through infected food products, direct contact with an infected animal, or inhalation of particles. Brucellosis is commonly spread in animals by direct contact with infected animals or with an environment that has been contaminated with body fluids from infected animals.
When to call your doctor
Consult your healthcare provider if you have symptoms consistent with Brucellosis and have exposure to animals that can spread Brucellosis.
How is Brucellosis diagnosed?
Brucellosis is diagnosed initially by the patient's history of exposure to likely sources of Brucella bacteria and the patient's clinical symptoms. Brucellosis can be confirmed in a laboratory by finding bacteria in samples of blood, bone marrow or other bodily fluids. Additional tests can also be done to detect antibodies against the bacteria.
How is Brucellosis infection treated?
The infection can be treated with antibiotics for 6-8 weeks. People who are immuno-suppressed or pregnant should be treated in consultation with an infectious disease specialist.
How do I avoid Brucellosis infection?
It is possible to prevent or reduce the chances of developing Brucellosis. Simple methods such as avoiding known infected animals, never drinking unpasteurized milk. If working with potentially infected animals, wear gloves and a mask and wash hands to reduce the risk of infection.
Because Brucellosis is mainly a disease involving livestock, vaccines have been developed that are effective for cattle, sheep, and goats. There is no vaccine available for humans to prevent Brucellosis.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus causes a respiratory disease in people and is transmitted by infected rodents. It is often fatal. It can usually be found in rural areas.
How is hantavirus transmitted?
Hantavirus is transmitted to people through contact with infected rodents.
Contact includes:
What are possible signs of infestation?
Rodents:
Burrows and nests of mice:
Mouse droppings
If you have rodents in your home
Air Out:
Clean up:
Symptoms
Symptoms of hantavirus occur 1 to 6 weeks after exposure. If you think you have been exposed to hantavirus, seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment, vaccine, or cure for this virus. If symptoms are recognized early, receive medical treatment immediately.
Let your health care provider know that you have been around rodents which will allow them to check for rodent-carried diseases such as hantavirus.
How is plague transmitted?
Plague is a bacteria that can be transmitted to people through flea bites and direct contact with infected animals. The bacteria can be carried by fleas, which can be found on rodents like prairie dogs, squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks. When fleas bite rodents infected with plague, they become infected and can then spread the disease to other rodents, domestic animals and humans.
In humans, the incubation period is usually 2-7 days.
What are plague types and symptoms?
There are three main forms of plague:
Untreated bubonic plague has a fatality rate approaching 70%; septicemic and pneumonic plague are fatal without prompt treatment.
Tips to avoid plague:
Plague and pets:
Dogs can get a mild infection and have the ability to recover without treatment.
Cats are infected from flea bites or by direct contact with infected rodents. Plague infected cats will generally have a history of roaming freely in rural or semi-rural areas and their owners often report that they are known predators.
Infected cats frequently exhibit swelling and sores around the mouth, head, and neck, and appear to be ill. Seek veterinary care for such animals. Since domestic cats and dogs can carry infected fleas into the home environment, it is also important to consult your veterinarian for information about flea control for your pets. While dogs rarely appear sick from plague, it is still important that they are treated for fleas as they can still carry them into the home.
Steps people can take to prevent plague in their pets:
How is plague treated?
Plague can be treated if diagnosed in the early stages of disease. If diagnosis and appropriate treatment are delayed, life-threatening complications may follow.
When to contact your doctor:
A doctor or hospital emergency room should be consulted as soon as symptoms appear and a history of exposure to potentially infected animals is very important in evaluating the risk from plague.
What is psittacosis infection?
Psittacosis is a disease caused by infection of the respiratory tract (throat, windpipe, and lungs) with Chlamydia psittaci. C. psittaci is a type of bacteria that can infect all types of birds. Psittacosis in people is most commonly associated with pet birds, like parrots and cockatiels, and poultry, like turkeys or ducks.
How common is psittacosis infection?
Since 2010, fewer than 10 confirmed cases have been reported in the United States each year. However, experts believe the disease is potentially underreported and underdiagnosed.
People of all ages can get psittacosis, but it is more common among adults. Those who have contact with pet birds and poultry, including people who work in bird-related occupations, are at increased risk:
What are the symptoms of psittacosis?
In general, psittacosis causes mild illness in people. The most common symptoms include:
Psittacosis can also cause pneumonia (a lung infection) that may require treatment or care in a hospital. Rarely, psittacosis can result in death.
Most people begin developing signs and symptoms within 5 to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria. Less commonly, people report the start of symptoms after 14 days.
How is psittacosis spread?
The bacteria can infect people who care for and clean up after infected birds. It is important to know that all infected birds do not have symptoms or seem sick. Both sick birds and birds without symptoms shed the bacteria in their urine, feces, and respiratory secretions. The most common way someone gets infected is by breathing in the dust from these dried secretions. Less commonly, birds infect people through bites and beak-to-mouth contact. In general, people do not spread psittacosis to other people.
When to call your doctor
Psittacosis is rarely reported and the symptoms are like many other illnesses. For these reasons, clinicians may not suspect it, making it difficult to diagnose. Tell your healthcare provider if you get sick after buying or handling a bird.
How is Psittacosis diagnosed?
The most common samples collected for testing are:
How is psittacosis infection treated?
People diagnosed with psittacosis usually take antibiotics to treat the infection. Most people improve quickly if they start antibiotics soon after they first get sick.
How do I avoid psittacosis infection?
While there is no vaccine to prevent psittacosis, there are things you can do to protect yourself and others. Buy pet birds only from a well-known pet store. If you own pet birds or poultry, follow good precautions when handling and cleaning birds and cages.
Safe Bird and Cage Care:
Use water or disinfectant to wet surfaces before cleaning bird cages or surfaces contaminated with bird droppings. Avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming to minimize circulation of feathers and dust. Use gloves and a mask when handling infected birds or cleaning their cages. Also remember to thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after contact with birds or their droppings.
What is Q Fever?
Q Fever is a disease caused by a bacteria, Coxiella burnetii. People who have frequent direct contact with livestock are at higher risk for getting the illness.
How common is Q Fever infection?
The disease was first recognized in Australia in 1937, but cases are now reported from many parts around the world. People with animal contact, veterinarians, meat industry workers, and sheep and dairy farmers are at higher risk of getting Q Fever.
What are the symptoms of Q Fever?
Illness typically develops 2-3 weeks after being exposed to the bacteria. Only about one-half of all people infected with C. burnetii show signs of illness. For people who become ill, the first symptoms of Q fever resemble the flu and may include fever, chills, sweats, headache, and weakness. Q fever may rarely progress to affect the liver, nervous system, or heart valve. Q Fever is rarely fatal.
Symptoms can be mild or severe. People who develop severe disease may experience infection of the lungs (pneumonia) or liver (hepatitis). Women who are infected during pregnancy may be at risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery, or low infant birth weight.
A very small percentage of people (less than 5 out of 100) who become infected with C. burnetii bacteria develop a more serious infection called chronic Q fever. Chronic Q fever develops months or years following initial Q fever infection. People with chronic Q fever often develop an infection of one or more heart valves (called endocarditis). People with endocarditis may experience night sweats, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, or swelling of their limbs. A healthcare provider will need to perform a series of tests to diagnose endocarditis.
How is Q Fever spread?
Most people get Q fever by coming in contact with animals infected with the Q fever bacteria, their tissues, or fluids. Transmission may occur through breathing contaminated air or dust from an area with a large concentration of animals. Tissues from animals giving birth pose a higher risk, since the bacteria can be shed in large numbers when an infected animal gives birth. People can also become infected indirectly from animals through contaminated materials like wool, straw, and animal waste fertilizers. Transmission by tick bites can occur, but is rare in the United States. There is a risk of Q fever from consumption of contaminated raw milk.
C. burnetii can survive for long periods of time in the environment and may be carried long distances by wind.
Although cases of Q fever can occur during any month of the year, most cases report illness beginning in the spring and early summer months, peaking in April and May. These increases coincide with increases in outdoor activity, and with the birthing season for a number of domestic animal species.
When to call your healthcare provider
Consult your healthcare provider if you have symptoms consistent with Q Fever and potential animal exposure.
How is Q Fever diagnosed?
Q fever is diagnosed by identifying the bacteria in tissues or through a blood test that detects antibody to the organism.
How is Q Fever infection treated?
Patients with mild transient illness usually do not require treatment. Patients with severe Q fever infection may be treated with two to three weeks of antibiotics. Patients with heart valve deformities should see their doctor for treatment to prevent infection of their heart valve. If treatment is delayed until late (i.e., heart) symptoms occur, patients may need to take antibiotics for months or years. If permanent damage to the heart valve occurs, surgery may be necessary.
How do I avoid Q Fever infection?
Is there anything special I need to know?
If you have been diagnosed with Q fever and have a history of heart valve disease, blood vessel abnormalities, a weakened immune system, or are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for developing chronic Q fever.
What is rabies?
Rabies is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can affect humans and other animals. The rabies virus affects the nervous system and causes swelling of the brain, eventually resulting in death. Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly always fatal. Rabies is preventable if vaccines are administered early but the disease is not treatable once symptoms appear.
What animals commonly transmit rabies in Larimer county?
The virus is most commonly found in skunks and bats in Larimer County, but can also be found in foxes, raccoons and coyotes. Any mammal can get rabies.
Why does public health investigate potential contact with rabid animals?
Public health can coordinate testing of animals for rabies and help determine if preventive treatment is needed for humans and pets. Public health can also discuss possible exposures and determine risk when an animal is not available for testing. The purpose of these measures is to protect humans and animals from getting rabies.
How is rabies transmitted?
The virus is transmitted by the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Pets and livestock, especially outdoor animals, can easily come in contact with rabid animals. If your pets are unvaccinated, and they come in contact with a rabid animal, they can contract rabies and spread it to humans and animals.
What are the symptoms of rabies in animals?
What can I do to prevent rabies?
What to do if you have an encounter with a sick or dead animal
What if I wake up and find a bat in the house?
What happens if my pet is exposed to a potentially rabid animal?
All animal encounters should be reported to animal control or to the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. The health department can help evaluate the risk of the exposure and make recommendations for you or your pet. Unvaccinated pets that come in contact with a potentially rabid animal might be required to go through an extensive quarantine process that can be costly, or they might have to be euthanized. Vaccination is the best way to protect your pets from rabies.
When to call your healthcare provider
Please consult your healthcare provider or the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment:
What are the symptoms of rabies in humans?
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. Symptoms include tingling or twitching sensation around the animal bite, fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue. As the infection progresses, irritability, excessive movements or agitation, seizures, inability to swallow and increased salivation can occur.
How long does it take to get rabies?
It generally takes 20-60 days to develop symptoms of rabies but has been known to be longer than 6 months.
What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?
What is the post exposure treatment for humans?
If you are bitten or otherwise exposed to a rabid animal you can be vaccinated against rabies. This vaccine is called rabies post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Call your doctor without delay and report the incident to your the health department.
Protect your pet from rabies:
Vaccinating pets and livestock for rabies helps to protect you and your family from the virus. Dogs and cats over the age of 4 months are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies in Larimer County.
What is Tularemia?
Tularemia is a bacterial infection most commonly transmitted to humans that have handled infected animals.
How is tularemia transmitted?
Infection can arise from handling infected animals, as well as from the bite of infected insects (most commonly ticks and deer flies), by exposure to contaminated food, water, or soil, by eating, drinking, or direct contact with breaks in the skin, and by breathing in dust stirred up during mowing or moving hay, grass, grain, or soil contaminated by an infected animal.
What are the symptoms of tularemia?
Typical signs of infection in humans are fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, chest pain, and coughing. If tularemia is caused by the bite of an infected insect or from bacteria entering a cut or scratch, it usually causes a skin ulcer and swollen glands. Eating or drinking food or water containing the bacteria may produce a throat infection, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Symptoms typically appear between 3 to 5 days of exposure, but can range from 2 - 13 days.
How is tularemia treated?
Tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics, so if you should have any of these early signs, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Current Risk:
Larimer County residents are advised that tularemia-causing bacteria are present in much of Larimer County.
The last reported case was a rabbit in 2019. Larimer County has reported 18 human tularemia cases and 35 animals positive since 2009.
Handling (removing) dead animals:
NOTE: Tularemia is present in Larimer County. If you had multiple animal die-offs in your area please use caution when handling dead animals.
If you need to remove a dead animal:
Steps people can take to prevent human tularemia:
Tularemia and pets:
Dogs and cats also get tularemia by eating infected rabbits or other animals, by drinking contaminated surface water, through tick and deer fly bites, and though exposure to contaminated soil if the skin is broken.
If your pet shows symptoms of illness which may include fever, loss of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes, ulcers on the mouth and tongue, draining abscesses, nasal and eye discharge, and skin sores, take it to the veterinarian.
As in humans, tularemia is easily treated if diagnosed early in dogs and cats.
Steps people can take to prevent tularemia in their pets:
There are disease concerns with both rats, mice and other rodents. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites.
These diseases can be spread to humans directly through handling of rodents, rodent bites, or through contact with rodent feces, urine or saliva. The best way to preventing human exposure to rodent diseases is effective rodent control in and around the home.
Getting Rodents Under Control
Getting a rodent problem under control can be very frustrating. The keys to rodent control are sealing, trapping and cleaning.
CDC provides some guidance on how to get rodent problems under control:
