Glacier National Park officials confirmed Thursday that two dead snowshoe hares tested positive for tularemia, bringing the park’s total to three infected animals since September.

All three animals were found on the east side of the park. One hare was discovered near staff housing in Many Glacier, while the other was found near the Swiftcurrent Falls viewing area. A beaver that tested positive in September was found between the Upper and Lower St. Mary Lakes.

Health precautions

Tularemia is a rare but highly infectious bacterial disease that primarily affects small rodents, rabbits and beavers. It can spread to people and pets through infected animals, contaminated food or water, and tick bites. Human-to-human transmission is rare.

Park officials recommend using insect repellent, maintaining distance from wildlife, drinking treated water and washing hands regularly while outdoors. Visitors who encounter suspected infected animals or carcasses should notify a park resource manager and National Park Wildlife Health.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, eye inflammation and mouth ulcers. The disease can be treated with antibiotics when detected early, and visitors experiencing symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Confirmed human infections should be reported to the National Park Office of Public Health.