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What is tularemia?
Tularemia is commonly called "rabbit fever" and can be transmitted by infected ticks or deer flies. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals through open sores. Hunters may become infected while field dressing infected animals. Rabbits are the primary wild animal that becomes infected with this disease, and they are very susceptible. Dogs and cats are also susceptible, and may become infected while eating dead or sick infected animals. Humans can become infected on rare occasions. Typical symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, an ulceration at the point of the tick bite or exposure, fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
I have found a dead rodent, who will pick it up/test it for plague/tularemia?
Staff from Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Disease Division will retrieve the rodent, take samples, and forward them to the Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) for testing. Only rodents found in the East Mountains and the Western Foothills (east of Tramway Blvd.) will be retrieved. Common rodents involved in plague transmission include rock squirrels, packrats, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. SLD will notify VBZD of the results of testing.
How can I protect myself from plague?
Remove all rodent harborage such as wood piles, or store wood on an elevated platform. Reduce or eliminate any outside food source such as bird-feeders or pet dishes. Do not allow pets to roam; restrain them to residence. Treat pets regularly for fleas. Seek medical/veterinary attention immediately if symptoms appear such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
I am having a problem with lots of mice. What can you do to help?
The City does not have a service to control mice but advice is provided to help alleviate the problem. Removing harborage such as trash, wood piles, and other types of unnecessary clutter will help. Proper storage of food and sealing up cracks/crevices that mice use to gain entry is important. Traps and baits are available to help control mice.
What can I do to protect myself from hantavirus?
Hantavirus is primarily found in northern NM and is most commonly carried by the deer mouse. The Albuquerque area is not considered a high risk area for this virus. Hantavirus is transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized urine or feces of infected host mice or other rodents. If there are many mouse droppings and/or carcasses in a confined area, make sure to ventilate for a minimum of 30 minutes before entering/working in the space. Use gloves or an inverted plastic shopping bag to handle the carcass, and spray droppings/carcasses with a 5-10% bleach solution prior to handling/cleaning to disinfect and place in a Ziploc bag and discard.
Do you test dead birds for WNV?
No. Dead birds are no longer collected for testing for any diseases. Suspected poisoning of birds should be reported to the Animal Welfare Department by calling 311.
How do I get onto the spray list for mosquitoes?
Please call 311 to make a Mosquito Spray Request.
Do you spray for flies?
No. Our equipment and pesticides are not for use in fly control.
How long before someone comes to spray?
Spray requests are fulfilled as soon as possible, depending on the number of calls in an area and the order that calls are received. Generally the spraying will be carried out within one week after the call is placed. If there is a cluster of requests in the same area, a staff member will investigate and try to find the breeding site and implement control measures. Mosquito spraying is conducted from late May or early June until the end of September or the beginning of October, depending on annual climate conditions.
What chemicals do you use for spraying?
Currently we are using synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin and derivative) products. Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of naturally occurring pyrethrins derived from chrysanthemum flowers, and these products have a low toxicity profile for mammals, including humans. They also readily break down in sunlight, and do not persist in the environment. We do not use malathion for mosquito control. In order to reduce pesticide usage we regularly check mosquito sites to control mosquitoes when they are found in the water. We also recommend the reduction of artificial containers, which can retain water such as tires, cans, bottles, old plastic swimming pools, etc.
Do you spray in the City and County for mosquitoes?
Yes. The mosquito control program is operated as a joint effort between the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.
How can I obtain mosquitofish?
Fish are available at the Montessa Park facility by appointment or through our participating distributors. Click here for more information.
What can the City do about all of the pigeons?
The City does not control pigeons. Private property pigeon problems should be handled by a private pest control company. The City removes pigeon droppings from certain public areas, but not from private property. There is no ordinance restricting feeding or attracting of pigeons.
Don't pigeons carry all kinds of disease?
Pigeons can carry a large number of pathogens, many of which can be transmitted to humans through droppings. Although human disease from contact with pigeons or their droppings is extremely rare, and usually requires greater amounts of droppings than are likely to be found in this area, it is best to be cautious. People are discouraged from feeding or attracting pigeons, and property owners should make every effort to exclude pigeons and keep their droppings cleaned up. Parents should teach their children not to handle dead pigeons or their droppings, and to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water if they come into contact with potentially infectious materials.