HomeWildlifeWildlife DiseasesColorado Tick Fever

Colorado Tick Fever

Colorado Tick Fever

DESCRIPTION

 

  • Coltivirus from ticks in spring and early summer
LOCATION

 

  • Mountains or highlands regions of western states and western Canada that contain rocky surfaces with moderate shrub cover and scattered pines
CAUSE

 

  • Acute and benign disease from getting bitten by a tick
SYMPTOMS

 

  • High fever
  • Headache 
  • Muscle aches 
  • Lethargy
TREATMENT

 

  • Seek medical attention from a physician
PREVENTION

 

  • Avoid tick-infested habitats during spring and early summer
  • Use personal protection, such as wearing pants and shirts with long sleeves
HANDLING
ANIMALS    

 

Wild animals may behave unusually:

  • Dumb rabies: Causes tremors and convulsions
  • Furious rabies: Causes aggressive behavior before convulsions and paralysis set in
  • Behavioral changes:
    • Friendliness
    • Loss of fear
    • Appearance in the daytime (for nocturnal animals)
    • Unprovoked attacks 
    • Bewilderment
    • Aimless wandering 
    • Unusual barking, crying and frothing at the mouth
OTHER FACTS

 

  • 50–200 cases reported each year
  • 1438 cases reported between 1980–88, 63% in Colorado
  • Also transmitted to chipmunks, ground squirrels and deer mice