Tularemia Or Rabbit Fever

This disease, caused by Francisella tularensis is associated with rabbits and rodents. It was first formally recognized in 1911 in Tulare County, California in ground squirrels.

It occurs in two forms, a glandular form affecting the lymph nodes and a more acute and severe typhoidal form affecting the entire body. In the first instance the organism enters through a scratch. In the second it is inhaled.

The disease in man is characterized by high fever, painful, enlarged lymph nodes, chills, myalgia and malaise. On rare occasions it attacks the brain, heart and bones.

Ticks are the most common method of spread of the disease from animals to man. When it is passed from direct handling of wild rabbit carcasses inflamed lesions are primarily on the hands. It can also be transmitted in undercooked meat consumed from infected animals.