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In a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of tularemia—commonly known as “rabbit fever”—have surged by 56% over the past decade. The findings, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), show a concerning upward trend in the bacterial infection, which is caused by Francisella tularensis.
Between 2011 and 2022, nearly 2,500 cases were reported across the United States, with half of these cases concentrated in four states: Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. However, tularemia cases have also been reported in 47 states, suggesting a widespread concern.
“The increase in cases may reflect either a true rise in infections or an improvement in detection methods, including better laboratory diagnostics,” said Kiersten Kugeler, a CDC epidemiologist and lead author of the study. “Either way, the upward trend in tularemia cases is undeniable.”
Tularemia is transmitted through several vectors, including tick and deer fly bites, consumption of contaminated water, and contact with infected animals, particularly rabbits and rodents. The disease can also be contracted through handling sick or dead animals, underscoring the importance of proper precautions when dealing with wildlife.
The bacterial infection is treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can progress into more serious conditions such as pneumonia, which can be fatal. The case fatality rate typically remains below 2%, though in some severe cases, it can rise to as high as 24%.
Symptoms of tularemia vary depending on the method of infection and can include skin ulcers, eye infections, sore throat, cough, breathing difficulties, and swollen lymph glands. The infection is particularly dangerous to American Indian and Alaskan Native populations, who experience a rate of infection roughly five times that of white Americans.
Children aged 5 to 9 and older adults, particularly men over the age of 65, were identified as the groups most at risk for tularemia infection.
To reduce the risk of contracting tularemia, the CDC recommends several preventive measures, including wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellents to avoid tick and deer fly bites, and steering clear of sick animals. Additionally, individuals are advised to wear gloves when handling wildlife and to avoid mowing over dead animals, which can be potential sources of infection.
The CDC’s findings on the rise of tularemia underscore the ongoing need for public awareness and vigilance, particularly in rural areas and regions with higher concentrations of wildlife.
For more information on tularemia and preventive measures, visit the CDC’s official website.
Sources:
Shannan N. Rich et al., “Tularemia — United States, 2011–2022,” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2024). DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm735152a1
The CDC’s official page on tularemia.
