Rabbit Fever
Fueled by unusually lush vegetation and hot conditions, rabbits have been doing it like rabbits, increasing the risk for what normally is a relatively rare bacterial disease. Rabbit fever, tularemia, can be contracted by human. Health officials are urging doctors to keep the disease in mind in diagnosing patients, and warning homeowners to take precautions while mowing and gardening, especially where bunnies are prevalent. Rabbit fever is found across the country, with an average of 35 cases typically reported each year. The disease – which also can be carried by rodents, birds, flies and ticks – poses a threat in a normally dry place where its symptoms of fever, chills, headaches and swollen glands could be mistaken for the flu. The bacteria that causes tularemia usually is present among rabbits and other animals that carry it. Additional vegetation has helped boost the animals’ populations and left more bacteria in the environment for humans to pick up. The greener conditions over the past two years also seem to be fueling two other diseases carried by rodents – hantavirus and plague.Humans can become infected with tularemia through insect bites. They also can get it by touching an infected animal or inhaling the bacteria, which can remain alive in soil, including in animal droppings.
