NEW MEXICO IS SEEING MORE CASES OF TULAREMIA THIS YEAR. DR. PAUL SMITH, MANAGER OF ALBUQUERQUE’S URBAN BIOLOGY DIVISION, SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN THREE RECENT HUMAN CASES IN BERNALILLO COUNTY…AND ALL THE VICTIMS HAVE RECOVERED.
HE SAYS THERE’S A SURGE IN CASES THIS YEAR, LIKELY CONNECTED TO INCREASED MOISTURE AND VEGETATION, WHICH IS PROVIDING MORE FOOD FOR THE STATE’S RODENT AND RABBIT POPULATIONS.
TULAREMIA IS A BACTERIAL DISEASE, LIKE THE PLAGUE, AND CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS DIRECTLY FROM SICK RODENTS OR RABBITS…OR THROUGH DEER FLY BITES.
