Health officials have found an increase in two rare diseases called rabbit fever and parrot fever. Both diseases, carried by the animals they were named after, are spread through bacteria in the animals.
Rabbit Fever and Parrot Fever: The Risks
There have been 235 cases of rabbit fever treated this year. 100 of them were in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, and one of them resulted in death. This is the highest count of rabbit fever found since 1984. The bacteria that causes this infection can be transmitted to ticks and deer flies from rabbits, and they can spread it to humans. Symptoms of this fever include sudden fevers, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain and general fatigue.
Parrot fever, on the other hand, is transmitted directly from the birds to humans. Any contact with feces or urine, even contact to the bird’s beak can transmit the bacteria, called Chlamydia psittaci. It also may be transmitted by other pet birds, but it is most commonly associated with parrots. People can also become infected through chickens, turkeys, pigeouns, cockatiels, parakeets and ducks. This specific infection is quite rare, but it resembles the flu or pneumonia. Its symptoms start 10 days after exposure and can give people fevers, chills, nausea and vomiting, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, fatigue and a dry cough. Other signs include photosensitivity, chest pain and in some cases it can even cause swelling of internal organs. Both rabbit fever and parrot fever can be treated with antibiotics.
The Danger of Rabbit Fever
Some authorities are worried that rabbit fever can be used as a bioterrorism weapon, which is why there is always a lookout for this disease. The incidence of rabbit fever is still relatively low. Before 1940, there were over 2,000 cases of rabbit fever reported each year, so people must be conscious of rodents if the numbers are to stay down.
