Tularemia, commonly known as rabbit fever, is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
FIRST CASE OF RARE, POTENTIALLY FATAL TICKBORNE VIRUS CONFIRMED IN NEW YORK STATE<\/a><\/p>\n While it primarily affects wildlife\u2014such as rabbits, hares, and rodents\u2014ticks<\/a> and deer flies frequently pick up the bacteria<\/a> and transmit it to humans.<\/p>\n A European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) exhibiting extreme lethargy and reduced flight response, a key clinical symptom of the dangerous zoonotic disease Tularemia (Rabbit Fever).<\/p>\n (laengauer \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Fortunately, the illness does not spread from person to person.<\/p>\n County health officials identified a tick bite<\/a> as the source for one of the four local infections but have not disclosed how the other patients were exposed.\u00a0<\/p>\n MICHIGAN REPORTS 2 DEATHS RELATED TO THE DIARRHEA-CAUSING PARASITE THAT IS PLAGUING THE US<\/a><\/p>\n This latest case follows reports from earlier this summer, which included a 9-year-old child who fell ill after being bitten by a tick.<\/p>\n A tick is positioned on a green leaf showcasing its distinctive coloration. This close-up highlights the intricate details of the insect in a natural environment.<\/p>\n (Oleg Marchak \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n While the disease is fairly uncommon, county health officials have tracked a small number of cases annually.<\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Tularemia can be life-threatening<\/a>, but most infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics.”<\/p>\n While symptoms vary depending on the method of infection, common signs include a high fever of up to 104 degrees, skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, and severe lung infections.<\/p>\n RHODE ISLAND RAISES WEST NILE VIRUS RISK TO HIGH AS MORE MOSQUITOES TEST POSITIVE<\/a><\/p>\n For example, the child suffered from swollen lymph nodes and a fever that lasted about 11 days,\u00a0according to local news outlets.<\/p>\n Rabbits are seen eating cabbage at Hamilton Beach Park in the Howard Beach section of Queens, New York City on January 23, 2026. The park is home to a large community of domestic rabbits.\u00a0<\/p>\n ((Theodore Parisienne \/ New York Daily News via Getty Images) \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Infections commonly occur between the months of May through September, with approximately 200 to 300 cases reported annually in the U.S., according to the CDC.\u00a0<\/p>\n HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FLESH-EATING PARASITE IN THE US AS CASES TRIPLE IN SIZE<\/a><\/p>\n Prevention and treatment of rabbit fever<\/p>\n The CDC lists ways to help prevent tularemia, including some of the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n Use insect repellent<\/a>.Wear protective clothing\u2014such as long pants and sleeves\u2014to prevent ticks from latching on.Remove ticks immediately if attached. Insect repellent against mosquitoes, ticks. Skin protection against tick and other insect. Bug spray anti insects. Woman spraying insect repellent using yellow spray bottle.<\/p>\n (Black Lollipop \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n When doing yard work, avoid mowing over dead animals.Don’t drink untreated surface water.Look out for common symptoms.If you hunt, use gloves when handling sick or dead animals.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/gettyimages-2256095047-scaled.jpg\")
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