SAN LUIS VALLEY - Rural areas like the San Luis Valley are known for increased opportunities to view and come into contact with wildlife. People who spend time outside should know any wild animal can spread disease.  To avoid becoming sick, never touch a wild animal, whether it is alive or dead.

A disease that is passed from animals to people is called a zoonosis. Here are some examples that occur in the SLV:

Plague, carried by fleas found on rodents, rabbits, or domestic pets

West Nile virus, carried by mosquitoes 

Rabies, carried by bats, skunks, and other wild mammals

Tularemia, carried by ticks, deer flies, rodents, and rabbits. This is also known as “rabbit fever.” 

Hantavirus, carried by deer mice

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, carried by ticks

Most of these diseases are relatively rare, but they are important because they can be very serious.  For example, Hantavirus infects just a handful of people each year in Colorado; but it is fatal in 38% of cases. Early medical care is critical.

Call your doctor right away if you are bitten by an animal.  Rabies must be treated before symptoms appear.  Incubation periods (or the time it takes from being infected until you get sick) for most zoonoses range from 3 days to 6 weeks. Seek medical care if you experience fever, severe joint or muscle pain, headache, fatigue, neck stiffness, disorientation, difficulty breathing, or diarrhea; let your doctor know if you have recently been around a wild animal.

The best way to not get sick is to prevent disease in the first place. Protect yourself and your family by taking common sense precautions:

Never touch a wild animal, alive or dead, especially if it is acting in a strange manner or seems sick. Call an expert who is skilled in handling wild animals. This could be your local animal control, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Recreating outdoors

Spray insect repellent with DEET on your skin and clothes.

Check for ticks every few hours if you go hiking or spend any time in tall grass.

As a principle, do not feed wildlife. Feeding wild animals not only increases the chance you may come in contact with the animal but also reduces its chances of surviving.

If you hunt, wear gloves while handling animals and wash your hands with soap and water afterward.  Cook meat thoroughly before eating.

Seal summer cabins and hunting camps so rodents are not able to nest in the roof and walls.

Permanently seal all holes in the foundation and walls with cement, grout, flashing, or heavy gauge metal screen; Leave no gaps larger than ¼ inch.

If rodents have been present (you find droppings), find out how to properly clean and disinfect the area before using it. Call your local public health office or visit this website: https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/index.html

Your property

Drain any standing water outdoors. Mosquitoes use water that collects in tires and other shallow containers to breed.

Get rid of trash, weeds, or anything that could house rodents.

Keep trash or compost in a designated container or sealed bin.

Do not leave pet food outside.

Keep wood piles at least 100 feet from the house.

SPRING CLEANING: Stirring up dust in areas mice have been present may transmit hantavirus. Before cleaning outbuildings, garages, or sheds that have been closed in for awhile, find out how to protect yourself. Call your local public health office or visit this website: https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/index.html.

Protect pets and other domestic animals

Vaccinate your animals against rabies. A booster shot will be needed every 1-3 years (depending on the manufacturer) to stay protected.

Prevent your pets from roaming free where they can come in contact with wildlife.

If your pet kills or comes into contact with a wild animal, monitor them for symptoms in the days following.

Wear gloves to remove animal carcasses your pet may come in contact with.

Keep outdoor pets and animals secure with wildlife proof fencing.

For more information, see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/animal-related-diseases.