Rabbit fever, or tularemia, is a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis. While uncommon, this disease has gained attention due to a sharp rise in reported cases, particularly in the United States.
Recent Rise in Tularemia Cases
Between 2011 and 2022, there has been a 56% increase in the annual average incidence of tularemia infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Certain groups, including children aged 5 to 9, older men, and individuals of American Indian or Alaska Native descent, have been most affected.
How Is Rabbit Fever Transmitted?
Tularemia can be transmitted to humans through several routes:
- Direct Contact with Infected Animals: Handling infected animals such as rabbits, hares, or rodents is a significant risk, especially for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.
- Insect Bites: Ticks and deer flies are common vectors, particularly in areas with dense tick populations.
- Contaminated Food or Water: Consuming undercooked meat from infected animals or untreated water can lead to infection.
- Inhalation: Breathing in contaminated dust or droplets, particularly in agricultural or laboratory settings, can cause pulmonary tularemia.
Climate Change and Rising Cases
Several factors contribute to the increasing cases of tularemia:
- Climate Change: Warmer temperatures extend tick activity, leading to longer breeding seasons and more opportunities for disease transmission.
- Deforestation and Habitat Encroachment: As human activity increases in wildlife habitats, the exposure to infected animals rises.
- Improved Diagnostic Capabilities: Better surveillance and testing methods may lead to the identification of more cases.
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Recognizing the Symptoms of Tularemia
Symptoms typically appear 3 to 5 days after exposure and may include:
- High Fever: Temperatures can reach up to 104°F (40°C).
- Flu-like Symptoms: Chills, fatigue, and body aches.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: Especially near the infection site, such as under the arms or in the groin.
Forms of Tularemia
There are four forms of tularemia:
- Ulceroglandular: Characterized by skin ulcers and swollen lymph nodes.
- Glandular: Involves swollen lymph nodes without skin ulcers.
- Pneumonic: Affects the lungs and can be more severe.
- Typhoidal: A rarer form that affects multiple organs.
Diagnosing Rabbit Fever
Tularemia symptoms can resemble those of other conditions like the flu or pneumonia. However, a distinguishing feature is the presence of skin ulcers or swollen lymph nodes in individuals with recent exposure to wildlife or ticks.
Treatment for Tularemia
Tularemia can be treated effectively with antibiotics, with common first-line treatments including:
- Streptomycin and Gentamicin for severe cases.
- Doxycycline or Ciprofloxacin for milder cases.
Treatment typically lasts 10 to 21 days, ensuring high recovery rates if started promptly. However, if untreated, the disease can lead to chronic infections, lung abscesses, pneumonia, or even life-threatening sepsis. The mortality rate is 1–2% with treatment but can rise to 30–60% in severe, untreated cases.
Is India at Risk of Rabbit Fever?
Tularemia is extremely rare in India due to different ecological conditions and limited interaction with the primary reservoirs of Francisella tularensis. However, awareness is still crucial for travelers heading to endemic regions or those working in wildlife settings.
While tularemia remains a rare condition in India, its growing presence in other parts of the world, combined with environmental changes, warrants ongoing awareness and preventive measures.
