Suffolk County Health Department reports three probable tularemia cases

The Suffolk County Department of Health said Monday it has identified three probable cases of tularemia, an infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and commonly known as rabbit fever. The disease can be transmitted through the bite of an infected tick or fly, direct contact with a sick animal, ingestion of contaminated water or undercooked rabbit meat, or inhalation of contaminated dust. Human-to-human transmission has not been documented.

Tularemia cases in the United States typically rise between May and September, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records fewer than 200 cases annually, although numbers have been increasing in recent years. Suffolk County has reported four cases in 2024, three in 2023 and one in 2022; data for 2025 are not yet available.

Symptoms may include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, fatigue and, when acquired through a bite, a painful ulcer at the site of infection. Onset usually occurs three to five days after exposure but can be delayed up to three weeks. If untreated, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis. Antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin and amikacin are effective treatments, according to the New York State Department of Health. A vaccine exists for laboratory personnel but is not widely available.

Public health officials advise preventing tick bites as the primary safeguard against tularemia. Recommendations include wearing long clothing, using light-colored tightly woven fabrics, avoiding sitting on the ground or low vegetation, staying on cleared trails, and applying tick repellents when necessary. After outdoor activities, a thorough body check is recommended; any attached tick should be removed with fine-pointed tweezers and the bite site cleaned. Individuals who develop a rash or fever after exposure should seek medical attention.

"If you develop a rash or fever, contact a healthcare provider for help," the health department added.