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Rachel V Thomas

New York Reports 3 Suspected Rabbit Fever Cases: What Is Tularemia?

Health officials in New York have reported at least three suspected cases of tularemia, a rare bacterial illness also known as rabbit fever.

The disease can spread through the bite of infected ticks or deer flies, or through contact with infected animals, particularly rabbits and rodents.

The Suffolk County Department of Health said laboratory testing is required to confirm the suspected cases, a process that may take several weeks.

"Confirmation of a tularemia diagnosis requires a combination of laboratory testing and fulfillment of specific clinical or epidemiologic criteria," the department told ABC 7, New York. 

"The laboratory testing to confirm a tularemia diagnosis may take several weeks."

Tularemia is most commonly reported between May and September, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fewer than 200 cases are reported annually in the US, based on CDC data from 2019 to 2023. Although still rare, reported cases have been increasing.

<ul><li>4 cases were reported in 2024</li><li>3 cases in 2023</li><li>1 case in 2022</li></ul>

Tularemia is a rare but potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis, according to the CDC.

The disease can affect the skin, lymph nodes, eyes, throat, lungs, and other organs depending on how the bacteria enter the body.

<h2>Rabbit Fever: How Do Humans Get Infected?</h2>

<ul><li>Bites from infected ticks and deer flies</li><li>Direct contact with infected rabbits, hares, rodents, or other animals</li><li>Handling infected animal carcasses</li><li>Inhaling contaminated dust, such as while mowing over dead infected animals</li><li>Eating contaminated food</li><li>Getting contaminated water or animal fluids into the eyes.</li></ul>

According to the CDC, the case fatality rate is typically below 2%, though it can be higher depending on the bacterial strain and type of illness.

<ul><li>Ulceroglandular tularemia: The most common type; causes a skin ulcer and swollen lymph nodes after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal.</li><li>Glandular tularemia: Causes swollen lymph nodes without a skin ulcer.</li><li>Oculoglandular tularemia: Occurs when contaminated material enters the eyes.</li><li>Oropharyngeal tularemia: Results from eating contaminated food or water, causing sore throat and digestive symptoms.</li><li>Pneumonic tularemia: Affects the lungs and can resemble pneumonia.</li><li>Typhoidal tularemia: A severe form that causes high fever and widespread illness.</li></ul>

Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection but commonly include:

<ul><li>High fever</li><li>Skin ulcer or open sore</li><li>Swollen, painful lymph nodes</li><li>Watery or irritated eyes</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Cough</li><li>Muscle aches</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Vomiting or diarrhea</li></ul>

Because tularemia is rare, it can be difficult to diagnose, and its symptoms often resemble more common illnesses.

Tularemia is highly treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed promptly.

The CDC noted that a vaccine previously used to protect laboratory workers is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration and is not generally available.

The CDC recommends the following precautions:

<ul><li>Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), PMD, or 2-undecanone.</li><li>Wear long sleeves, long pants, and long socks in areas where ticks and deer flies are common.</li><li>Remove attached ticks promptly.</li><li>Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals.</li><li>Wear gloves when hunting, trapping, or skinning wild animals.</li><li>Cook game meat thoroughly before eating.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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Rabbit Fever

Tularemia

tick borne disease

bacterial illness

Francisella tularensis

rabbit fever in US

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Health officials in New York have reported at least three suspected cases of tularemia, a rare bacterial illness also known as rabbit fever.The disease can spread through the bite of infected ticks or deer flies, or through contact with infected animals, particularly rabbits and rodents.The Suffolk County Department of Health said laboratory testing is required to confirm the suspected cases, a process that may take several weeks."Confirmation of a tularemia diagnosis requires a combination of laboratory testing and fulfillment of specific clinical or epidemiologic criteria," the department told ABC 7, New York. "The laboratory testing to confirm a tularemia diagnosis may take several weeks."Tularemia Cases in the USTularemia is most commonly reported between May and September, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Fewer than 200 cases are reported annually in the US, based on CDC data from 2019 to 2023. Although still rare, reported cases have been increasing.In Suffolk County, Long Island:4 cases were reported in 20243 cases in 20231 case in 2022What Is Tularemia?Tularemia is a rare but potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis, according to the CDC.The disease can affect the skin, lymph nodes, eyes, throat, lungs, and other organs depending on how the bacteria enter the body.Rabbit Fever: How Do Humans Get Infected?People can become infected through:Bites from infected ticks and deer fliesDirect contact with infected rabbits, hares, rodents, or other animalsHandling infected animal carcassesInhaling contaminated dust, such as while mowing over dead infected animalsEating contaminated foodGetting contaminated water or animal fluids into the eyes.According to the CDC, the case fatality rate is typically below 2%, though it can be higher depending on the bacterial strain and type of illness.Types of TularemiaThere are six main forms of tularemia:Ulceroglandular tularemia: The most common type; causes a skin ulcer and swollen lymph nodes after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal.Glandular tularemia: Causes swollen lymph nodes without a skin ulcer.Oculoglandular tularemia: Occurs when contaminated material enters the eyes.Oropharyngeal tularemia: Results from eating contaminated food or water, causing sore throat and digestive symptoms.Pneumonic tularemia: Affects the lungs and can resemble pneumonia.Typhoidal tularemia: A severe form that causes high fever and widespread illness.SymptomsSymptoms vary depending on the type of infection but commonly include:High feverSkin ulcer or open soreSwollen, painful lymph nodesWatery or irritated eyesSore throatCoughMuscle achesLoss of appetiteVomiting or diarrheaBecause tularemia is rare, it can be difficult to diagnose, and its symptoms often resemble more common illnesses.TreatmentTularemia is highly treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed promptly.The CDC noted that a vaccine previously used to protect laboratory workers is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration and is not generally available.How to Prevent TularemiaThe CDC recommends the following precautions:Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), PMD, or 2-undecanone.Wear long sleeves, long pants, and long socks in areas where ticks and deer flies are common.Remove attached ticks promptly.Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals.Wear gloves when hunting, trapping, or skinning wild animals.Cook game meat thoroughly before eating.

new york reports 3 suspected rabbit fever cases: what is tularemia?

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New York Reports 3 Suspected Rabbit Fever Cases: What Is Tularemia?

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New York Reports 3 Suspected Rabbit Fever Cases: What Is Tularemia?

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