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Tularemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Rabbit Fever

Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever or deer fly fever, is a rare infectious disease caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. While it primarily affects animals like rabbits, rodents, sheep, and birds, humans can also contract the disease through various means. In this article, we'll explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tularemia.

Causes of Tularemia

Tularemia is not a disease that naturally occurs in humans, but people can become infected through several ways:

  • Insect bites, especially from deer flies or ticks

  • Contact with the skin, hair, or meat of an infected animal

  • Consuming contaminated water or undercooked meat

  • Breathing in bacteria from soil during activities like construction or gardening

  • Exposure to the bacteria in a laboratory setting or potentially through bioterrorism

Tularemia can occur anywhere in the world, but it's most common in rural areas where animals are more likely to be infected. The bacteria can survive in soil, water, and dead animals for weeks, making it possible to cause infections through various means.

Symptoms of Tularemia

Symptoms of tularemia usually appear within 3 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria, but it can take up to 2 weeks. The type of symptoms you experience depends on the form of tularemia you have contracted.

Ulceroglandular Tularemia

The most common form of tularemia, ulceroglandular tularemia, is characterized by:

  • An ulcer on the skin, usually caused by an insect or animal bite

  • Painful and swollen lymph glands

  • Fever, chills, headache, and fatigue

Oculoglandular Tularemia

Oculoglandular tularemia affects the eyes and can cause:

  • Pain, swelling, or discharge in the eye

  • Redness and light sensitivity

  • An ulcer inside the eyelid

  • Tender lymph glands around the ear, neck, and jaw

Oropharyngeal Tularemia

Oropharyngeal tularemia affects the mouth, throat, and digestive system, and is often caused by consuming undercooked meat or contaminated water. Symptoms include:

  • Throat pain, vomiting, and diarrhea

  • Swollen tonsils or lymph nodes in the neck

  • Ulcers in the mouth and fever

Pneumonic Tularemia

Pneumonic tularemia can cause symptoms often associated with pneumonia, such as:

  • Trouble breathing and chest pain

  • A dry cough

Typhoidal Tularemia

Typhoidal tularemia is a rare but very serious form of the disease, with symptoms including:

  • An enlarged spleen or liver

  • Diarrhea, vomiting, and severe fatigue

  • Elevated fever

Diagnosis and Treatment of Tularemia

Diagnosing tularemia can be challenging because its symptoms are similar to other diseases. Your doctor will perform tests to confirm the presence of the bacteria and may order a chest X-ray to check for signs of pneumonia.

Treatment for tularemia usually involves antibiotics, either injected or taken orally. If complications like pneumonia or meningitis occur, additional treatment will be necessary. While most people who have had tularemia become immune to it, some may contract the disease more than once.

Preventing Tularemia

To protect yourself from tularemia, follow these prevention tips:

  • Avoid handling sick or dead animals with bare hands

  • Wear clothing that covers exposed skin, tight at the wrists and ankles

  • Use insect repellents and remove ticks promptly

  • Drink clean water and fully cook wild meats

For more information on tularemia, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Mayo Clinic, or consult with your healthcare provider.

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