Health officials are warning that tularemia cases are on the rise in New Mexico.
Since the middle of April, the Department of Health reports four cases of the plague-like illness in four people and six pets. They include a 45-year-old man from Santa Fe County, an 88-year-old woman from McKinley County, a 62-year-old woman from Santa Fe County and a 75-year-old woman from San Juan County. The pet cases include two cats and one dog from Santa Fe County, a dog from Sandoval County, a dog from Los Alamos County, and a cat from Torrance County.
All have recovered.
Tularemia is a potentially serious illness caused by a bacteria found in animals, especially rodents, rabbits and hares. Dogs and cats can also spread the disease to humans. Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscles aches and joint pain.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.