The Suffolk County Department of Health (SCDHS) has reported three potential cases of tularemia, a highly infectious bacterial disease commonly referred to as "rabbit fever." This marks a significant increase, as the county reported four cases in 2024, the highest number since before 2014, with the illness typically more prevalent between May and September.
Tularemia can spread to humans through various means, including tick and deerfly bites, contact with infected rabbits, hares, or rodents, consumption of contaminated food or water, or inhalation of bacteria from agricultural dust or exposed tissues, such as when a lawnmower runs over an infected animal. The SCDHS noted that confirmation of these cases will require a combination of laboratory testing and adherence to specific clinical or epidemiological criteria, a process that could take several weeks.
One reported case involved nine-year-old John Detmer, who fell ill in late April after a tick was removed from his head. He had been playing in his yard, which is frequented by wild rabbits, though he did not directly handle the animals. His diagnosis with the rare disease required multiple doctor visits before an infectious disease specialist identified it.
Tularemia presents in several forms, including ulceroglandular, oropharyngeal, and pneumonic, with symptoms varying based on the infection site. General symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and vomiting. Depending on the type, other signs may include a skin rash, sore throat, cough, or pink eye. While treatable with antibiotics, untreated tularemia can lead to severe complications and potentially be fatal in up to 50% of cases.
Prevention measures recommended by the CDC include using insect repellent, wearing gloves when handling sick or dead animals, and wearing protective clothing such as long pants, long sleeves, and long socks when outdoors. Additional precautions involve wearing a mask while mowing and avoiding mowing over dead animals. Prompt and proper tick removal after outdoor activities is also advised.