IT LOOKS LIKE 2015 WILL BE AN ACTIVE YEAR FOR TULAREMIA IN NEW MEXICO. IT’S A BACTERIAL DISEASE WITH SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO THE PLAGUE. DR. PAUL ETTESTAD WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS PETS CAN PICK UP THE DISEASE FROM RODENTS AND RABBITS, AND PASS IT ON TO YOU. HE SAYS IT’S A RARE DISEASE, BUT UP TO ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF THE CASES CAN BE FATAL.
PRECAUTIONS INCLUDE KEEPING YOUR PETS FROM ROAMING AND HUNTING…USING FLEA AND TICK CONTROL…AND CLEANING UP AREAS AROUND YOUR HOUSE THAT MIGHT ATTRACT RODENTS.
