Over the past several weeks, Sioux Falls Animal Control has received five reports of dead cats in the area of the Cactus Hills Mobile Home Park located on North Cleveland Avenue. Test results from one of the animals proved positive for Tularemia bacteria.

Tularemia, is also known as “rabbit fever,” is a disease caused by bacteria typically found in animals, especially rodents, rabbits, and hares. Cats are more susceptible to Tularemia than dogs. Many cats become infected from the ingestion of infected rabbits. Symptoms of the illness include anorexia, lethargy, dehydration, oral ulcers, and weight loss.  Tularemia occurs throughout North America, and in 2006 there were six human cases of Tularemia in South Dakota.

Though there is low risk of contracting this disease, this occurrence of Tularemia in a cat is a good reminder for families that insect repellant with DEET should be used on exposed skin when outdoors to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects  Pet owners can protect their animals from such illness by using tick repellant for their animal or to check for ticks after pets have been outdoors especially in wooded areas. This website has further information regarding other protective measures for protection from tick-borne illness: http://www.state.sd.us/news/showDoc.aspx?i=8371. Additionally, for prevention of human exposure, precautions should be taken when disposing of dead animal carcasses to avoid skin contact. Cats or other animals may become infected from the ingestion of infected rabbits; therefore, precautions include monitoring pet activity to prevent possible exposure from a dead or sick animal.

People can also become infected through the bite of infected insects (most commonly ticks and deerflies), by handling infected sick or dead animals, by eating or drinking contaminated water, or by inhaling airborne bacteria. Tularemia has not been known to transmit the infection from person to person. The signs and symptoms people develop depend on how they are exposed to Tularemia. Possible symptoms include skin ulcers, swollen and painful lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea, or pneumonia. If you suspect you have been exposed to Tularemia bacteria, see a doctor quickly. The following CDC website has more information regarding this illness: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_tularemia.htm

Tick control and precautions to avoid exposure to infected materials are the best ways to prevent spread of the disease. Information sheets have been distributed by Animal Control Officers to residents of the Cactus Heights Trailer Park. Sioux Falls Health Department and the State Department of Health will continue to monitor and coordinate with the Sioux Falls Animal Control.

Sioux Falls Animal Control would ask that anyone finding a dead animal in the area of Cactus Heights Mobile Home Park please contact us at 367-7222. An officer will be dispatched to handle proper disposal. Those citizens outside the Cactus Heights Trailer Park area may dispose of dead animals by utilizing rubber gloves and double plastic bagging the animal. Also, citizens are reminded that they should avoid running over dead animals with their lawn mowers as Tularemia has been known to be transmitted via this activity.