Rabbit Fever Spreading: Humans At Risk, Says Health Officials
Tularemia, while still rare, is sneaking its way into more and more cat communities. Also known as “rabbit fever,” this sneaky disease is usually transmitted through ticks or flies or spreads through contact with sick or deceased critters like squirrels, rabbits, and rodents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Previously, exposure was primarily confined to animals. However, with the disease spreading rapidly in certain states, health officials are cautioning pet owners that tularemia, being highly infectious, can also be transmitted to humans.
Announced in a joint statement, The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) said they are tracking the rising development of animal tularemia cases.
What is “Rabbit Fever”?
Tularemia, a disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, is quite widespread, according to the MDH and BAH. This potentially serious illness is primarily found in wildlife but can be transmitted to domestic animals through hunting, tick or fly bites, and other types of contact. Infected animals may experience symptoms such as loss of appetite, high fever, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and newly formed ulcers on the skin and mouth.
In the past, tularemia has been rare in the U.S., with only about seven animal cases reported each year. But in 2023, there were a surprising 21 cases, and now in 2024, we’re on track to see even more than usual. The BAH expects these cases to keep increasing as more animals show signs of this serious disease.
This increase in tularemia among animals is worrying for pet owners because health experts have confirmed that humans can catch the disease too.
“Pet owners need to be aware that cats, especially, can become very ill with a high fever and can quickly succumb to the disease. It’s important for pet owners to be aware of this disease in their pets because it is possible for a person to become infected as well,” says Maria Bye, a senior epidemiologist in the Zoonotic Diseases Unit at MDH.
While the statement didn’t mention dogs, Lake Cross Veterinary says that it’s unusual for dogs to get tularemia but they can contract the disease in a number of ways.
Some of those ways include skin-to-skin contact, consuming contaminated food or water, inhaling aerosolized bacteria, being bitten by an infected insect such as mosquitoes, fleas or ticks, and ingesting an infected animal such as a hare, rodent, or rabbit.
“Dogs typically contract tularemia at higher rates in the summer months, when deer fly and tick populations are surging, and during rabbit hunting season in winter,” they stated.
They also mention that many dogs may become infected with bacteria and most healthy canines are able to fight the infection and only mild symptoms will appear. Sometimes they will not even have any symptoms. However, if your dog’s immune system is compromised or very young, the disease can develop into a serious condition.
Severe symptoms of tularemia in dogs include lethargy, dehydration, loss of appetite, sudden high fever, swollen or painful lymph nodes, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.
How can humans get tularemia?
Just like animals, humans can get tularemia from handling sick or dead animals, or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, according to the CDC. Even friendly gestures like petting or cuddling can spread the disease. So, no matter how cute that stray cat looks, it’s safer to keep your distance.
Symptoms of tularemia can show up within three to five days after you’re exposed. Sometimes, though, they might not appear for up to two weeks. These symptoms include fever, skin sores, swollen glands, headaches, chills, nausea, and muscle aches.
To protect yourself, it’s important to keep your pets safe from tularemia too. The MDH and BAH recommend keeping indoor cats, using tick prevention medicine, using bug spray to keep ticks and flies away, and avoiding contact with wild animals whenever possible.
If you think you might have been exposed to tularemia, officials advise talking to your doctor right away.
