What is ‘rabbit fever?’ Health officials report 3 probable cases

Key Points:

• Suffolk County Department of Health in New York has reported three probable cases of tularemia, a rare but serious infection also known as rabbit fever, typically transmitted by tick or fly bites from infected mammals like rabbits.
• Tularemia symptoms include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, tiredness, and sores at bite sites, with symptoms appearing within 3 to 21 days; the infection can lead to sepsis but is treatable with antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentamicin.
• The disease does not spread from person to person and is most common from May through September, with fewer than 200 cases reported annually nationwide, though numbers have been rising; Suffolk County has seen a small number of cases in recent years.
• To prevent tick bites and tularemia, experts recommend wearing protective clothing, using tick repellents, avoiding sitting on the ground or dense woods, performing thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, and properly handling and cooking game meat.
• Anyone who develops a rash or fever after potential exposure should seek medical attention promptly, and proper tick removal techniques include using tweezers to pull the tick out and disinfecting the bite area.