Insect & Animal Borne Diseases

Transmission
West Nile virus comes from infected mosquitoes.

Risk and Symptoms
People of any age can get West Nile. However, people over the age of 50 and weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk.

Symptoms can set in two to 14 days after an infected mosquito bite and include

• Fever
• Headache
• Body ache
• Skin rashes
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Dizziness and disorientation
• Muscle weakness
• Coma

People with severe symptoms should seek medical help right away.

Protect Yourself

• Use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and/or lemon eucalyptus oil.
• Limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn.
• Wear protective, long clothing.
• Spray clothing with repellent for extra protection.
• Drain standing water around your house, including rain barrels, flower beds, birdbaths, and old tires.

Report Concerns
Mosquito complaints in unincorporated Adams County and many cities can be directed to the Adams County Health Department at 303.428.5908.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CDC Information: https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/index.html
CDPHE Data and Reports: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/communicable/animal-related-diseases/west-nile-virus
Mosquito mitigation and spray schedules: https://www.vdci.net/colorado-schedules/

Transmission
Plague bacteria are transmitted through flea bites and contact with infected animals, including rodents and rabbits bitten by infected fleas.
Infection can also come from contaminated fluids.

Risk and Symptoms

• Symptoms can set in 2-6 days after exposure
• Sudden fever and chills
• Severe headache
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• General feeling of whole body illness
• Lymph node swelling

People with these symptoms need to seek medical attention immediately.

Prevention

• Reduce rodent nests and other areas where rodents could live, including tall grass and trash piles
• Avoid contact with all sick or dead rodents
• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil if going into an area where fleas live
• Keep fleas off pets by applying flea control products
• Keep all dogs leashed, and restrict cats from roaming in rodent-infested areas

Report Concerns
If you notice colony areas where prairie dogs have rapidly disappeared, notify the Adams County Health Department at 303-288-6816 or environmentalhealthinspections@adcogov.org. The location must be within Adams County.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Factsheet CSU Extension: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/fleas-and-plague-5-600/
CDC Information: https://www.cdc.gov/plague/about/index.html
CDPHE Data and Reports: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/communicable/animal-related-diseases/plague

Overview
Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, but repeated bites may cause an allergic reaction to the saliva, and continued scratching of the bite sites can cause an infection. Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects that are reddish-brown in color and approximately one-quarter inch long, before feeding (about the size and shape of a small apple seed). They hide during the day on beds (mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards) and in cracks and crevices of walls, floors, and furniture. They come out at night. They do not fly or jump, but they can crawl rapidly.

Prevention

• Check secondhand furniture, beds, and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.
• Reduce clutter in your home to reduce hiding places for bed bugs.
• Be vigilant when using shared laundry facilities. Transport items to be washed in plastic bags (if you have an active infestation, use a new bag for the journey home).
• Remove from the dryer directly into the bag and fold at home. (A dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs.)
• When staying in a hotel, place your bag on a suitcase stand rather than on the bed or floor. Keep the rack away from walls or furniture. When returning home, wash the
• Clothes from your trip and put them in a hot dryer.

Treatment

• Contact a pest management professional with experience and knowledge of the inspection, identification, and extermination of bed bugs. These professionals follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, which include monitoring for any bugs that may have been missed during treatment.
• Use caution when using pesticides and always follow label directions.

Report Concerns
Since bedbugs are not known to transmit disease, the Adams County Health Department does not investigate complaints as they are considered a nuisance and not a public health problem.

The State of Colorado passed a bill in 2019 that outlines the responsibilities of both tenants and landlords in addressing bedbugs.

In partnership with Adams County, Colorado Housing Connects and Brothers Redevelopment offer high-quality, no-cost mediation services to mitigate landlord-tenant disputes in Adams County. The goal of the program is to divert parties away from court-sanctioned eviction proceedings and to work toward mutually agreed-upon alternatives between renters and landlords like rental assistance, payment plans, lease compliance, and more. To learn more, call 1.844.926.6632.

The warranty of habitability is a Colorado law that requires that nearly every rental unit in the state meet minimum safety and health standards. More information can be found here or by contacting Colorado Legal Services. Adams County Health Department does not provide legal advice.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Colorado Housing Connects for assistance with landlord/tenant issues: https://coloradohousingconnects.org/
Factsheet CSU Extension: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/bat-bugs-bed-bugs-and-relatives-5-574/
CDC Information: https://www.cdc.gov/bed-bugs/about/index.html
EPA Information: https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/top-ten-tips-prevent-or-control-bed-bugs

Transmission
Tularemia comes from:

• Infected insects, most commonly ticks and deer flies
• Interacting with infected animals
• Drinking contaminated water

Risk and Symptoms

• 3-5 days, but can range 1 to 14
• Fever
• Skin ulcers
• Swollen and painful lymph nodes
• Inflamed eyes
• Sore throat
• Mouth sores
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia

Seek medical attention right away. Most cases can be treated with antibiotics.

Prevention

• Use insect repellent when hiking, camping, or working outdoors
• Don’t drink untreated surface water
• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to keep ticks and deer flies off your skin
• Don’t mow over sick or dead animals. When mowing or landscaping, the use of masks may reduce your risk of inhaling the bacteria
• Use gloves when handling animals
• Cook game meat thoroughly before eating

Report Concerns
If you notice several/sick or dead rabbits or rodents in an area, notify the Adams County Health Department at 303.288.6816 or environmentalhealthinspections@adcogov.org. The location must be within Adams County.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CDC Information: https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/about/index.html
CDPHE Data and Reports: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/communicable/animal-related-diseases/tularemia

Transmission
Hantavirus is transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. It can also be caught if someone breathes in dust from dried mouse feces.

Risk and Symptoms

• 1-6 weeks after exposure
• Fever
• Muscle aches and pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Pneumonia

Prevention

• Keep rodents out of your home and workplace
• Seal up openings
• Reduce food, water, and nesting areas
• Monitor and trap rodents
• Properly clean up rodent droppings
• Do not sweep or vacuum!
• Open doors and windows to circulate air for 30 minutes
• Wear a mask and gloves
• Spray droppings with a disinfectant solution and allow to soak
• Use paper towels to wipe up
• Wash hands

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Rodent Clean-up Guide: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html
CDC Information: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/about/index.html
CDPHE Data and Reports: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/communicable/animal-related-diseases/hantavirus

Overview
Though known to carry various disease organisms, cockroaches have not been associated with any major disease outbreaks in the U.S. Cockroaches can cause allergic reactions when sensitive people come into contact with contaminated food or house dust. There are more than 50 species of cockroaches in the U.S. However, only five are likely to be found in Adams County.

Cockroaches are active at night, so daytime observation is a good sign of a heavy infestation. They prefer protected areas, such as cracks and crevices, to rest and hide. Although cockroaches prefer starchy foods and meats, they will eat anything of plant or animal origin.

Prevention

• Food
  • Keep food in sealed containers.
  • Do not allow food particles to accumulate in areas accessible to cockroaches. Common feeding areas include unwashed dishes, pet dishes, uncovered pet food containers, litter boxes, waste containers, and areas under refrigerators, stoves, sinks, and furniture.
• Water
  • Water is particularly important, which is why infestations are most common in kitchens and bathrooms. Make any plumbing repairs and modifications needed to eliminate as much standing water as possible.
• Hiding Places
  • Reduce shelter for cockroaches; do not store unnecessary newspapers, boxes, rags, and similar items that provide hiding places.
  • Seal cracks in your home to prevent entry.
• Treatment
  • Traps can be effective in catching the occasional invader, but they will not eliminate established colonies. Traps are most effective when placed against walls under sinks, in cabinets, and in basement corners.
  • Contact a pest management professional with experience and knowledge of the inspection, identification, and extermination of cockroaches. These professionals follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, which include monitoring for any bugs that may have been missed during treatment.
  • Use caution when using pesticides and always follow label directions.

Report Concerns
In partnership with Adams County, Colorado Housing Connects and Brothers Redevelopment offer high-quality, no-cost mediation services to mitigate landlord-tenant disputes in Adams County. The goal of the program is to divert parties away from court-sanctioned eviction proceedings and to work toward mutually agreed-upon alternatives between renters and landlords, like rental assistance, payment plans, lease compliance, and more. To learn more, call 1.844.926.6632.

The warranty of habitability is a Colorado law that requires that nearly every rental unit in the state meet minimum safety and health standards. More information can be found here or by contacting Colorado Legal Services. Adams County Health Department does not provide legal advice.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Colorado Housing Connects for assistance with landlord/tenant issues: https://coloradohousingconnects.org/
Colorado Legal Services: https://www.coloradolegalservices.org
Factsheet CSU Extension: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/cockroaches-5-553/

Overview
In Colorado, both mice and rats are common, with the deer mouse and house mouse being the most prevalent species of mice. Rats in Colorado include the Norway rat and the roof rat.

Rats and mice can spread diseases to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent.

• Hantavirus, which can be carried by deer mice, is a concern in Adams County. Generally, rats are a nuisance and do not pose a public health risk in Colorado. However, infestations can be signs of a greater sanitation issue.

Prevention
The primary strategy for preventing human exposure to rodent diseases is effective rodent control in and around the home.

• Keep rodents out of your home and workplace
  • Seal up openings
  • Reduce food, water, and harborage areas
  • Monitor and trap rodents
• Properly clean up rodent droppings
  • Do not sweep or vacuum!
  • Open doors and windows prior and circulate air for 30 minutes
  • Wear a mask and gloves
  • Spray droppings with a disinfectant solution and allow to soak
  • Use paper towels to wipe up
  • Wash hands

Treatment

• Contact a pest management professional with experience and knowledge of the inspection, identification, and extermination of mice and rats. These professionals follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, which include monitoring for activity and prevention techniques.
• Use caution when using pesticides and always follow label directions.

Report Concerns
In partnership with Adams County, Colorado Housing Connects and Brothers Redevelopment offer high-quality, no-cost mediation services to mitigate landlord-tenant disputes in Adams County. The goal of the program is to divert parties away from court-sanctioned eviction proceedings and to work toward mutually agreed-upon alternatives between renters and landlords, like rental assistance, payment plans, lease compliance, and more. To learn more, call 1.844.926.6632.

The warranty of habitability is a Colorado law that requires that nearly every rental unit in the state meet minimum safety and health standards. More information can be found here or by contacting Colorado Legal Services. Adams County Health Department does not provide legal advice.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Colorado Housing Connects for assistance with landlord/tenant issues: https://coloradohousingconnects.org/
Colorado Legal Services: https://www.coloradolegalservices.org
EPA Information: https://www.epa.gov/rodenticides/about-rats-and-mice
Rodent Clean-up Guide: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html