Learning About Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)

Tularemia is a disease caused by a type of bacteria. It commonly affects rodents, rabbits, and hares. It can spread from animals to people. It's also called rabbit fever.

People can be infected if they:

• Are bitten by a tick or deer fly.
• Touch an infected animal.
• Drink water that isn’t clean.
• Inhale dust that contains the bacteria.

Anyone can get it if they’re exposed to the infected animal or insect. People who come into contact with animals while working or hunting are more likely to get it. This includes farmers, veterinarians, landscapers, park employees, meat handlers, and laboratory workers.

There are different types of tularemia. It depends on how the bacteria enter the body.

• Ulceroglandular. This is the most common form. The bacteria enter through a break in the skin, and you may notice an ulcer. You can get it from a tick or deer fly bite or by touching an infected animal.
• Glandular. The bacteria enter through the skin. You can get it from a tick or deer fly bite or by handling an infected animal.
• Oculoglandular. The bacteria enter through the eyes. You can get this after touching an infected animal and then touching your eyes.
• Oropharyngeal. The bacteria enter through the mouth. You can get this after eating food with the bacteria or drinking water that contains the bacteria.
• Pneumonic. This is the most serious form. The bacteria enter through the lungs. You can get this after breathing in dust or particles that contain the bacteria.
• Typhoidal. This is a more general infection from the bacteria. It's not in any one area and may include a combination of symptoms.

Symptoms vary depending on what type of tularemia you have.

Some symptoms may include:

• A fever, which can be as high as 104°F.
• Skin ulcers.
• Swelling of lymph glands, often in the armpit or groin.
• Irritation of the eye and swelling of lymph glands in front of the ear.
• A sore throat.
• Mouth ulcers.
• Tonsillitis.
• Swelling of lymph glands in the neck.
• A cough.
• Chest pain.
• Trouble breathing.

Your doctor will ask about your previous health and do a physical exam. They may look at your eyes, throat, and areas of your skin. They may also feel your lymph nodes. They will take a skin or blood sample or do a lymph node biopsy to test for signs of the bacteria.

It can be treated with antibiotic medicines. Different types may be used. The dose and the number of days you take it depend on the medicine and your age.

Here are some ways to help prevent tularemia.

• Use insect repellents registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Treat clothing and gear with repellents designed for that purpose.
• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to protect your skin.
• Wear lighter colors so that ticks are easier to spot.
• Do a full-body check for ticks. Be sure to check:
  • Under the arms.
  • In and around the ears.
  • Inside the belly button.
  • Behind the knees.
  • In and around head and body hair.
  • Between the legs.
  • Around the waist.
• Remove attached ticks as soon as possible.
• Don’t drink untreated water.
• Wear gloves before touching sick or dead animals, especially rodents.
• Avoid mowing over dead animals.
• Cook game meat well before eating.