The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has issued a health advisory after several squirrels in Urbana were found dead, with one testing positive for tularemia, a rare but serious bacterial disease that can affect both humans and animals.

Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, commonly found in wild animals such as rodents, rabbits, and hares. These animals often die from the infection, and their presence in the environment may increase the risk of exposure to humans and pets in the area.

Residents are urged to be vigilant for symptoms of tularemia, which in humans can include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, sudden fever, chills, headache, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle aches, cough, and weakness. The infection can be transmitted through handling infected animals, tick bites, or inhaling contaminated materials—especially during activities like farming or landscaping when machinery disturbs infected carcasses.

Pet owners should monitor their animals closely, as dogs and cats can become infected by contact with or eating infected wildlife, tick or flea bites, or inhaling contaminated materials. Signs of illness in pets warrant immediate veterinary attention.

To reduce the risk of tularemia infection, CUPHD recommends the following precautions:

For pets:

• Prevent cats and dogs from hunting or roaming outdoors unsupervised.
• Consult a veterinarian about tick prevention measures.
• Report any unusual die-offs of rodents or rabbits to local animal control.

For people:

• Use insect repellent and wear long clothing to protect against ticks when outdoors.
• Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals.
• Do not handle wild animals.
• Seek medical care promptly if tularemia symptoms develop.

Residents with questions about tularemia in humans should contact their healthcare provider, while questions about animal infections should be directed to a veterinarian. Additional information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.