PARK CITY, Utah – Recent discoveries of deceased beavers in Utah have prompted health alerts from wildlife officials. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources revealed that nine dead beavers, with three testing positive for tularemia, were found across various counties in Utah, including Summit and Wasatch counties, raising concerns for public safety. Tularemia is an infectious disease that poses a risk to both wildlife and humans, urging the public to report any sightings of deceased beavers without approaching or touching them.
During recent weeks, wildlife officials identified deceased beavers in multiple locations, including near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, Midway, and the Jordanelle Dam. Additionally, tularemia was confirmed in the deceased beavers through tests conducted at the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the Utah Public Health Lab. This bacterial disease, transmitted through tick or deerfly bites, direct contact with infected animals, or contaminated water or undercooked meat, presents significant health risks to humans if left untreated.
DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout expressed concern over the unusual number of beavers dying from tularemia, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment. The disease, also known as rabbit fever or deerfly fever, underscores the need for preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and checking for ticks after exposure to brushy areas. Residents are urged to report any dead animal sightings to the DWR to prevent further spread of tularemia in wildlife populations.
This recent outbreak of tularemia causing wildlife fatalities echoes a similar incident in 2017 involving a cottontail rabbit in the Kanab area of Utah. The presence of the bacteria responsible for tularemia in various parts of Utah highlights the ongoing need for public awareness and vigilance in preventing the spread of infectious diseases among wildlife and humans. For more information on tularemia and preventive measures, individuals can access resources provided by the Utah Department of Health & Human Services.