A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a sharp increase in case numbers of tularemia, also known as ‘rabbit fever’, over the past decade. The disease is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and can be transmitted through various routes, including tick bites, skin contact with infected animals, and even aerosolization from contaminated soil.
According to the CDC, at least one case was linked to a lawn-mowing incident in Colorado in 2014. The report’s authors note that while the disease is relatively uncommon, its incidence has increased significantly, with 2,462 cases recorded across 47 states between 2011 and 2022. This represents a 56% higher incidence rate compared to previous records.
The CDC estimates that there are approximately 1.35 million cases of Salmonella bacterium poisoning each year, whereas tularemia cases amount to just one case among every 200,000 people. However, the incidence rate has increased among certain groups, including First Nations people, children aged five to nine years old, and people living in the central US.
The report highlights the importance of improved detection and awareness about the routes of infection, which can help avoid exposure and aid doctors in identifying and treating the disease quickly with antibiotics.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/rabbit-fever-in-humans-has-surged-in-the-last-decade-cdc-reports