Tick-Borne 'Rabbit Fever' Confirmed in Suffolk County

Suffolk County health officials have issued a warning regarding three probable cases of tularemia, a potentially serious illness commonly referred to as rabbit fever. This bacterial infection, caused by Francisella tularensis, can spread from animals to humans.

One confirmed case involved a 9-year-old child who exhibited severe symptoms, including high fever and swollen lymph nodes, after being bitten by a tick in their yard. While the child had not handled wild rabbits, it is believed a tick may have transmitted the bacteria after feeding on infected animals.

Tularemia is a rare disease, but its incidence has seen an increase in recent years, partly due to advancements in detection methods. Symptoms can vary, ranging from chills and headache to pneumonia and skin ulcers, depending on the infection route.

Although tularemia can be treated with antibiotics, it is considered a dangerous and potentially life-threatening illness if left untreated. The general public is at low risk unless they have direct contact with infected ticks, deer flies, or animals.