Colorado health officials have recorded 11 human cases of tularemia, or "rabbit fever," since May, putting the state on pace for one of the most widespread years for the disease in years.
The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recorded 16 human cases last year, representing the second highest number of cases since 1983 when there were 20. The previous average before 2014 was fewer than four cases a year.
Two Weld County men were diagnosed with tularemia last week.
Tularemia symptoms include fever, sore throat and swollen glands. It can be fatal if untreated.
It's often transmitted to people handling infected rabbits, hares, beavers and muskrats.