Health officials in Suffolk County, New York, are investigating three probable cases of tularemia, a rare and potentially serious bacterial infection also known as 'rabbit fever.' The identification of these cases, one involving a nine-year-old boy, comes amid a documented national increase in tularemia infections.
Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Humans typically contract the disease through tick or deer fly bites, though it can also spread by handling infected animals, consuming contaminated food or water, or inhaling dust containing the bacteria. The disease is named 'rabbit fever' because it is frequently found in rabbits, often causing them to become severely ill or die.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of tularemia usually appear suddenly three to five days after exposure and can include high fever, chills, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and a skin sore at the bite site. Swollen lymph nodes are also common. In severe instances, the infection can lead to pneumonia and respiratory issues. If left untreated, tularemia is fatal in approximately 10 percent of cases. However, prompt treatment with antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, gentamicin, or levofloxacin, reduces the fatality rate to less than one percent. Recovery can still take weeks or months, even with treatment.
Local and National Trends
One of the confirmed probable cases in Suffolk County involved nine-year-old John Detmer, who developed severe symptoms, including a prolonged fever and intense head and neck pain, after being bitten by a tick in his yard. His mother removed the tick, but Detmer later required diagnosis by an infectious disease specialist and continues to experience fatigue months later. The other two cases in Suffolk County have not had details released. Suffolk County has reported four cases in 2024, the highest number since before 2014. While it is unclear why these three cases have emerged, experts are exploring theories that include a particularly severe tick season possibly due to milder winters protecting tick eggs and changing weather patterns that expand tick habitats and prolong their active seasons.
Nationwide, tularemia cases have seen an increase. In 2023, there were 196 reported cases in the U.S., a 56 percent rise compared to a decade prior. Historically, cases tend to peak between May and September, aligning with peak tick activity.
Public Health Recommendations
Public health officials advise individuals to take precautions when spending time outdoors, including using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and thoroughly checking for ticks after outdoor activities. They also recommend avoiding contact with sick or dead wild animals and promptly removing any found ticks. Individuals experiencing fever or unusual symptoms after potential exposure to ticks or the outdoors are urged to consult a doctor and mention the possibility of tularemia.