It's a dangerous disease that can spread to humans.  And it's turned up in a dead cat in Sioux Falls.

Several dead cats have prompted calls to Animal Control in the last two weeks. 

Five cats were found dead at Cactus Hills Mobile Home Park in Sioux Falls in a matter of ten days. One of the cats tested positive for a disease called tularemia, a bacterial disease similar to lyme disease. It's not only fatal for animals, but could be fatal to humans if not caught soon enough. 

The bacteria can be spread through a tick bite or from an insect. The cats affected were wild and roamed a wooded mobile home park in Sioux Falls. 

Sioux Falls Police Lieutenant T.C. Olson says, “I think the unusual thing we have here is the high number of reports in a concentrated area, and that can be related back to the fact that it is a wooded area, it is a grassy area and there are a high number of feral cats or wild cats running around.” 

Olson says the disease can only spread to humans if they directly handle the animal. 

“If a human has direct contact with the diseased animal, whether it’s living or deceased, it can be transmitted. It can be transmitted through a simple bite,” Olson says. 

And that concerns neighbor John Vetter. 

Vetter says, “There are a lot of cats that run around.  A lot of stray ones.” 

Tularemia is also known as rabbit fever, and Vetter says his wife found a dead rabbit in their yard yesterday.  He says, “It’s scary because it’s similar to rabies and spreading and there could be a danger.” 

That’s why Olson says people should take precaution when in wooded areas. 

“Either a deet insect spray or wearing long sleeved shirts and wearing your pants tucked into your boots if you're hiking. Things like that to avoid contact with the insects and ticks that pass this disease on.” 

Animal’s symptoms include anorexia, dehydration, oral ulcers, and weight loss. Olson says if anyone finds a dead cat, either call animal control or wear gloves when handling the animal. 

More information on tularemia