So far this year, 15 people have been infected with tularemia, or rabbit fever in Colorado. Officials said that the number is just five less than what it was in 1983, a record-setting year. State and local health officials have asked doctors to remain cautious and asked people to take precautions if bunnies are around.

Doctors should keep the disease in mind while diagnosing patients. As per a data, rabbit fever can be found across the nation and on yearly basis, around 135 cases are reported and majority of them are reported in the south central United States.

Rodents, birds, flies and ticks can be carriers of the disease. Experts have affirmed that though the state’s number is low, it can pose a threat. The fever proves problematic especially in a normally arid place whose symptoms include fever, chills, headaches and swollen glands.

Due to symptoms, there are chances of the fever to be mistakenly considered as the flu. Experts said that carriers of the fever carry the bacteria. But the additional vegetation is helping the animals’ population to grow.

State veterinarian Jennifer House said that more bacteria are now present in the environment for humans to pick up. Not only this disease, but the additional vegetation is helping two other diseases being carried by rodents and those being hantavirus and plague.

Health officials have suggested people not to go barefoot while they work in their yards. They should wear proper slippers; wear bug spray and long sleeves and pants at that time. If discovered on time then the virus can be treated.