North Dakota health and agriculture officials are reporting several cases of the bacterial, zoonotic disease, tularemia, in both humans and animals in at least four counties.

North Dakota Image/National Atlas
North Dakota
Image/National Atlas

To date, three human cases have been reported–confirmed cases in LaMoure and Burleigh County and a suspect, but likely case in Stark County. The health status of the three individuals is not known.

In addition, two North Dakota zoos have reported tularemia in animals.  A squirrel from the Roosevelt Zoo in Minot tested positive, while two primates from the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck contracted the disease.



The symptoms of tularemia in humans vary depending on how the infection was acquired, and generally appear one to 14 days after exposure. “Symptoms of tularemia may include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, diarrhea, sore throat and cough. When a person is bitten by an infected tick or deer fly or handles an infected animal, an ulcer may appear where the bacteria entered the skin, and lymph nodes may also become swollen and painful,” said Laura Cronquist, epidemiologist with the NDDoH. “If people have symptoms of tularemia, it is important they tell their healthcare provider about any potential exposures, including contact with sick or dead animals and tick or deer fly bites.”

In related news several states away, officials with the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado report tularemia was detected in a dead muskrat in the Lily Lake area of the park.

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