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 unusual
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