According to reports, cases of tularemia, a rare and contagious disease also commonly known as ‘rabbit fever’, have increased by more than 50 percent in the US in recent years.
According to the , between 2011 and 2022, the annual average incidence of tularemia infection will increase by 56 percent compared to 2001 to 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is rabbit fever?
Tularemia is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Humans can become infected with the disease in a variety of ways, including bites from infected ticks and deer flies; and direct skin contact with infected animals such as rabbits, hares and rodents, which are highly susceptible to the disease.
Read this also ‘Rabbit fever’, a rare disease, is on the rise in the US
The CDC reports that the case fatality rate for tularemia is generally less than 2%, although it may be higher depending on the clinical presentation and strain of bacteria.
Symptoms of rabbit fever (tularemia)
Symptoms of tularemia can vary in severity, but high fever is a common feature in all forms of the disease. The specific signs and symptoms depend on the route of infection. According to the CDC, these can include skin ulcers, mouth ulcers and sore throat, among others.
Health officials also note that eye irritation and swelling are symptoms of the oculoglandular form of tularemia, which occurs when bacteria enter through the eye. This can happen during activities such as biting an infected animal or through eye contact. Symptoms include irritation, swelling in the eyes and swelling of lymph nodes near the ears.
Other symptoms may include respiratory problems such as cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing.
preventive measures
- The following precautions are recommended to reduce the risk of tularemia infection:
- Use insect repellent to avoid ticks and insect bites.
- Wear long sleeves and pants to protect against ticks and deer flies.
- Remove attached ticks immediately using fine-tipped tweezers.
- Avoid drinking untreated surface water.
- Wear a mask to avoid bacteria during activities like mowing the lawn.
- Use gloves when handling animals such as rabbits, muskrats, prairie dogs or other rodents.
- Cook game meat thoroughly before eating.
At present there is no vaccine for the general public.
