Cases of tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” are on the rise in the U.S., according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Caused bacteria Francisella tularensisthe disease usually infects rabbits, hares and rodents. However, it is a zoonosis, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The bacterium is a “Tier 1 Select Agent,” a classification given to agents and toxins that “pose the highest risk of intentional misuse with significant potential for mass casualties or devastating effects on the economy, critical infrastructure, or public trust, and pose a severe threat public health and safety,” according to the CDC.
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Although tularemia is relatively rare, with only 2,462 diagnoses between 2011 and 2022, cases they got up 56% compared to the previous decade (2001 to 2010), as reported in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Cases of tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” are on the rise in the U.S., according to a new CDC report. (iStock)
“Increased reporting of probable cases could be related to an actual increase in human infection, improved detection of tularemia, or both,” the report said.
Daniel Ruderfer, Ph.D. honeycK. Hovnanian, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Hospital in New Jersey, believes the increase in cases is largely due to improved microbiological detection methods.
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“The traditional method of confirming cases historically has been through culture growth and antibody testing,” he told Fox News Digital.
“However, newer detection methods, such as PCR testing, are likely to contribute greatly to the increase in reported cases.”
“Newer detection methods, such as PCR testing, are likely to contribute greatly to the increase in reported cases.”
People can get infected with a disease through deer fly or tick bites, contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated water or aerosols, the same source said.
Symptoms of tularemia can vary depending on the type of disease.
General symptoms include chills, headache, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, myalgia, chest discomfort, cough, severe sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach painsaccording to Ruderfer.
Humans can contract the disease through the bite of deer flies or ticks. (iStock)
“Depending on the location of the infected area or scratch, people can develop localized lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) and a skin ulcer at the site of infection,” he said.
“Other manifestations include conjunctivitis, pneumonia and potentially even bloodstream infections.”
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The death rate from this disease is usually low, less than 2%, but the CDC has noted that it can be as high as 24% in rare, severe cases.
Tularemia can be treat with antibioticsbut no vaccine is currently available.
“An infection is absolutely dangerous and potentially life-threatening if not treated with appropriate antibiotics,” Ruderfer said.
Caused by bacteria Francisella tularensisthe disease usually infects rabbits, hares and rodents. However, it is a zoonosis, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. (iStock)
Children in between are the most at risk 5 and 9 years oldolder men, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and those living in the central US states, the report said.
“The infection is absolutely dangerous and potentially life-threatening if not treated with appropriate antibiotics.”
The general population is not at “obvious” risk of infection unless they come into physical contact with an infected rabbit, tick or deer fly, the expert noted.
Those who hunt or routinely interact with rabbits should see a doctor if they develop any worrisome symptoms, he advised.
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“Many factors may contribute to a higher risk of tularemia in this population, including the concentration of Indian reservations in the central states and sociocultural or occupational activities that may increase contact with infected wildlife or arthropods,” the CDC wrote.
