On November 19th Junction City Police were dispatched to a call for potentially injured feline. JCPD transported the cat to the Junction City Animal Shelter and staff quickly assessed the cat was not injured but showing symptoms of severe illness. They practiced proper PPE protocols and isolation protocols out of precaution due to the symptoms that were presenting themselves. On November 20th the feline was taken to a veterinarian who made the assessment it could be something more serious. Due to these symptoms, euthanasia was elected and for the feline to be sent off to KSTATE for further testing.
On Dec. 7th results were back that the feline was POSITIVE for TULAREMIA. Due to the fast-acting nature of the Junction City Animal Shelter staff and the veterinarian's quick suspected diagnosis, authorities were able to reach out to any individuals that were known to have contact with the feline to have them monitor any symptoms that could arise and to get with their physician if anything developed. This feline was a stray cat as far as officials were made aware. Proper agencies have been notified to include Geary County Health Department, KDHE, etc.
Tularemia, also known as “Rabbit Fever” is a bacteria that can be spread by ticks, deer flies, or handling infected animal tissue. It can occur when hunting or skinning infected rabbits, muskrats, prairie dogs and other rodents. These types result in Ulceroglandular or Glandular Tularemia. The concern in our case for staff and patrons that handled said feline was the potential for contacting bodily fluids such as urine or saliva.
While there are other forms of Tularemia (Pneumonic or Oropharyngeal), these are rarer and can occur from farming and landscaping when machinery runs over infected carcasses or contaminated drinking water. Again, these cases are rare in the U.S.
https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/index.html - here is the link from the CDC for more information if you had further questions.
Important information to take away from this post-
- PLEASE call Law Enforcement if you see an animal exhibiting symptoms of illness or injury- do not handle injured or ill animals, ESPECIALLY with no protective equipment. Local number: Junction City/Geary County/Grandview Plaza Police Dispatch- 785-762-5912 (after-hours press0 when you hear the recording).
- Ways you can keep yourself and your pets safe- KEEP UP TO DATE WITH APPROPRIATE FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION- EVEN IF YOUR PET STAYS INDOORS!
- Avoid running over any deceased animals while mowing.
- Use bug spray and protection when outdoors- Use DEET!
- Cook food thoroughly and get water from a safe source.
- The Junction City Animal Shelter has NO Tularemia cases. Their quick actions and safe protocols allowed them to avoid an outbreak both at the shelter and amongst staff.
City of Junction City press release