Another Human Case Of Rabbit Fever Surfaces In Colorado

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Another human case of tularemia, or rabbit fever, has surfaced in Colorado.

It's the fourth case along the Front Range. The latest is the second human case in Larimer County.

Health experts said the patient likely was infected while mowing tall grasses where rabbits had been.

Tularemia is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in soil and contaminated water. Carriers of the disease in North America include rabbits, hares and pikas.

Rabbit fever can be found in every state expect Hawaii. While there is no off season for the disease, health officials said because it's spread so quickly this year, most hospitals are alert to the symptoms and can treat it right away.