DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A rabbit found dead in Tuscola was confirmed to have died from tularemia, officials in Douglas County said.

Now, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging area residents to be aware of tularemia symptoms, and to monitor family members and pets for signs of illness.

Tularemia is caused by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis. It’s commonly found in animals like rodents, rabbits and hares. Humans, cats and dogs can also become infected.

It can be passed on through contact with infected animals, through tick or flea bites, or by inhaling or ingesting infected materials. Symptoms may include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, a sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle aches, cough and weakness.

If you develop symptoms, or you notice symptoms in your pet, contact your healthcare provider or your veterinarian immediately.

To reduce the chance of you or your pets of becoming infected, the Douglas County Health Department said there are a couple of steps to take. This includes:

• Supervising your cats or dogs while they are outdoors
• Making sure your pets are protected from tick bites
• Reporting large die-offs of rodents or rabbits to your local animal control agency
• Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals
• Avoiding handling wild animals

In Champaign County, health officials warned residents that a squirrel tested positive for tularemia April 16. For more information about tularemia, visit the CDC’s website.