Protect yourself: The silent "rabbit fever" epidemic the CDC warns could affect you!
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As we embrace the beauty of changing seasons and enjoy outdoor activities, there’s a hidden threat that’s been quietly on the rise in the US — and it’s something the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging us to pay attention to.
Have you ever heard of tularemia, or "rabbit fever"?
This disease may not be something you’ve come across often, but it’s becoming more common, and it could affect you.
This zoonotic disease, which primarily infects wildlife, is spreading, and those who love activities like gardening, hiking, and wildlife watching need to be aware of the risks.
What is "Rabbit Fever"?
Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which infects animals like rabbits, hares, and rodents. But here's the catch — it can also jump to humans.
The CDC has classified it as a “tier-1 select agent,” which means it has the potential for widespread harm, especially if misused.
From 2011 to 2022, cases of tularemia increased by a staggering 56%, with 2,462 diagnosed cases reported. While this increase could be due to better detection methods like PCR testing, it’s still a concerning trend.
Dr. Daniel Ruderfer, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, attributes much of the rise to these advancements in microbiology, which have made it easier to spot the disease earlier.
How Does It Spread and What Are the Symptoms?
Tularemia can be transmitted to humans in several ways, including bites from infected ticks or deer flies, handling sick or dead animals, and even exposure to contaminated water or air. Symptoms can vary but generally include:
Some may even develop swollen lymph nodes or a skin ulcer at the site of an infected bite. In more severe cases, tularemia can lead to pneumonia, eye infections, or bloodstream infections.
While the death rate is usually low (under 2%), severe cases can have a mortality rate as high as 24%. Thankfully, antibiotics can treat the disease, though there is no vaccine available.
Who’s Most at Risk?
While anyone can be affected, certain groups are more vulnerable. This includes children between the ages of 5 and 9, older men, American Indian and Alaskan Native populations, and people living in central US states.
Activities like hunting, fishing, and frequent exposure to wildlife can also increase the risk of infection.
How to Protect Yourself:
For those in our GrayVine community who love the outdoors, it’s essential to stay vigilant. Here’s how you can protect yourself from tularemia:
Hunters and outdoor adventurers should be extra cautious.
If you’ve been in contact with wildlife and experience unusual symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away.
With tularemia on the rise, staying informed is key to protecting yourself and your loved ones. While you might not be at immediate risk, understanding how the disease spreads and recognizing the symptoms can make all the difference.
Knowledge is power — and it could just save your life.
We want to hear from you! Have you ever encountered wildlife while hiking or gardening? What steps do you take to stay safe in the outdoors? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts! We'd love to hear your stories, tips, and advice to stay safe outdoors!
Have you ever heard of tularemia, or "rabbit fever"?
This disease may not be something you’ve come across often, but it’s becoming more common, and it could affect you.
This zoonotic disease, which primarily infects wildlife, is spreading, and those who love activities like gardening, hiking, and wildlife watching need to be aware of the risks.
Rabbits are one of the key animals associated with the spread of tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever." Image Source: Pexels / Pixabay.
What is "Rabbit Fever"?
Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which infects animals like rabbits, hares, and rodents. But here's the catch — it can also jump to humans.
The CDC has classified it as a “tier-1 select agent,” which means it has the potential for widespread harm, especially if misused.
From 2011 to 2022, cases of tularemia increased by a staggering 56%, with 2,462 diagnosed cases reported. While this increase could be due to better detection methods like PCR testing, it’s still a concerning trend.
Dr. Daniel Ruderfer, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, attributes much of the rise to these advancements in microbiology, which have made it easier to spot the disease earlier.
How Does It Spread and What Are the Symptoms?
Tularemia can be transmitted to humans in several ways, including bites from infected ticks or deer flies, handling sick or dead animals, and even exposure to contaminated water or air. Symptoms can vary but generally include:
- Chills and headache
- Fatigue, malaise, and muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat, chest discomfort, and coughing
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Symptoms of tularemia can include chills, fatigue, and muscle aches. Image Source: Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio.
Some may even develop swollen lymph nodes or a skin ulcer at the site of an infected bite. In more severe cases, tularemia can lead to pneumonia, eye infections, or bloodstream infections.
While the death rate is usually low (under 2%), severe cases can have a mortality rate as high as 24%. Thankfully, antibiotics can treat the disease, though there is no vaccine available.
Who’s Most at Risk?
While anyone can be affected, certain groups are more vulnerable. This includes children between the ages of 5 and 9, older men, American Indian and Alaskan Native populations, and people living in central US states.
Activities like hunting, fishing, and frequent exposure to wildlife can also increase the risk of infection.
How to Protect Yourself:
For those in our GrayVine community who love the outdoors, it’s essential to stay vigilant. Here’s how you can protect yourself from tularemia:
- Always use insect repellent to keep ticks and flies at bay.
- Wear gloves when handling sick or dead animals.
- Avoid drinking untreated water from lakes or streams.
- Stay alert to any symptoms and get checked out by a doctor if you suspect exposure.
If you’ve been in contact with wildlife and experience unusual symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away.
With tularemia on the rise, staying informed is key to protecting yourself and your loved ones. While you might not be at immediate risk, understanding how the disease spreads and recognizing the symptoms can make all the difference.
Knowledge is power — and it could just save your life.
We want to hear from you! Have you ever encountered wildlife while hiking or gardening? What steps do you take to stay safe in the outdoors? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts! We'd love to hear your stories, tips, and advice to stay safe outdoors!
