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Rare bacteria detected

LOS ANGELES: Traces of a bacteria that causes a rare disease typically found in wild animals were detected in a wooded area of Los Angeles, but humans were not believed to be in any danger, health officials said on Sunday. The bacteria that causes tularemia is common in ticks and small-to medium-sized mammals such as rabbits, rodents and squirrels. Humans can contract the disease if bitten by an infected animal or insect or by coming in contact with a sick animal's carcass. However, the disease is not contagious among humans and can be treated with antibiotics, the Los Angeles Health Department said. Furthermore, cases of tularemia are rare and there have been no human cases of the disease in Los Angeles recently. ``We do not believe that there is any threat to public health and individuals do not need to modify their activities as a result of this occurrence,'' said health officer Jonathon Fielding. The testing was done as part of a Federal environmental detection system that monitors airborne contaminants. — Xinhua

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