Glacier Park: Rare disease detected in beaver

Glacier National Park officials announced last week a beaver discovered on the east side had tested positive for a rare but serious bacterial disease.

Tularemia occurs naturally and can affect both wildlife, pets and humans, according to a press release from the park. The beaver was discovered between Upper and Lower St. Mary Lakes.

The disease is most commonly transmitted through bites from infected ticks or flies, and can cause wildlife illness and death, especially in voles, rabbits, beavers and other small rodents.

Humans and pets can contract tularemia through contact with infected animals, contaminated food or water, inhalation, or tick bites. Person-to-person transmission is rare, but exposure can cause serious health risks.

Park officials said visitors can reduce reduce the risk of tularemia infection, by following these precautions:

• Apply insect repellent regularly.
• Wash hands thoroughly and often.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
• Drink only water that has been treated or boiled.

In humans, tularemia can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever and chills, joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, dry cough, chest pain, skin ulcers or sores at the site of a tick bite, and swollen lymph nodes. Anyone who develops these symptoms within two weeks of visiting an affected area should seek medical attention and tell their healthcare provider about possible exposure to tularemia. The disease is treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early.

For additional information on Tularemia visit Tularemia (U.S. National Park Service).