Latest news with #Francisellatularensis
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Health officials urge caution after dead rabbit and squirrel found with rare bacterial disease
A dead rabbit found in central Illinois tested positive for a bacterial disease last week, prompting the local health department to urge residents to monitor their families and pets for signs of the illness. The rabbit infected with tularemia was found in Tuscola, a small community south of Champaign, following weeks of reports of ill and dead squirrels in nearby Urbana. One of the rodents had also tested positive for the disease, which is rare but serious and can affect animals and humans. 'The presence of infected wildlife may indicate an increased risk of exposure in the area,' the Douglas County Health Department said in a Thursday statement, echoing an announcement made by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District three days earlier about local squirrel deaths. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, tularemia is caused by F rancisella tularensis, bacteria that are mostly found in rodents, rabbits and hares. About 100 to 200 cases are reported every year in the country, and it naturally occurs in all states except Hawaii. Illinois reported nine cases in 2023, behind seven other states: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Colorado and Kentucky. Pets can become infected if they come into contact with or eat an infected animal, or breathe in or ingest contaminated food or water. They can also be exposed to the disease through tick and flea bites. Pet owners should watch for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian with concerns, according to Douglas County health officials. The department also urges that cats and dogs not be allowed to roam outdoors unsupervised and be protected from tick bites. While tularemia has not been found to spread between people, humans can catch it by being bitten by an infected tick, deerfly or other insect; skin contact with infected animals; eating or drinking contaminated food or water; or breathing in the bacteria during farming or landscaping activities if a tractor or mower runs over an infected animal's carcass. Health officials recommend wearing EPA-registered insect repellent and long clothing outdoors, not drinking untreated surface water, and not handling sick or dead wild animals unless wearing gloves. Symptoms in humans include fever, chills, muscle pain or tenderness, and lack of energy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tularemia manifests in six main types with different signs and symptoms depending on how the bacteria enter the body — through the skin, eyes, mouth or lungs. Up to 80% of cases lead to skin ulcers and swollen, tender glands. Effects from the other types include painful, red eyes with yellow discharge, a sore throat, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, a dry cough, difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain, and weight loss. Because it is rare and its symptoms can be mistaken for other common illnesses, tularemia can be difficult to diagnose. The CDC recommends sharing any likely exposures with health-care providers to help with the diagnosis. If untreated, tularemia has a human mortality rate of 5% to 15%, which can be lowered to about 1% by antibiotic treatment, according to state health officials.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dead rabbit tests positive for tularemia in Douglas Co.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A rabbit found dead in Tuscola was confirmed to have died from tularemia, officials in Douglas County said. Now, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging area residents to be aware of tularemia symptoms, and to monitor family members and pets for signs of illness. Illinois reports first measles case of 2025 Tularemia is caused by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis. It's commonly found in animals like rodents, rabbits and hares. Humans, cats and dogs can also become infected. It can be passed on through contact with infected animals, through tick or flea bites, or by inhaling or ingesting infected materials. Symptoms may include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, a sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle aches, cough and weakness. If you develop symptoms, or you notice symptoms in your pet, contact your healthcare provider or your veterinarian immediately. To reduce the chance of you or your pets of becoming infected, the Douglas County Health Department said there are a couple of steps to take. This includes: Supervising your cats or dogs while they are outdoors Making sure your pets are protected from tick bites Reporting large die-offs of rodents or rabbits to your local animal control agency Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals Avoiding handling wild animals In Champaign County, health officials warned residents that a squirrel tested positive for tularemia April 16. For more information about tularemia, visit the CDC's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials issue urgent warning amid surge of 'rabbit fever' cases — here's what you need to know
A new and concerning trend in infectious disease has emerged across the U.S., with cases of tularemia — commonly known as "rabbit fever" — having significantly increased over a recent 11-year period. In January, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 56% surge in tularemia cases between 2011 and 2022, with 47 states documenting a total of 2,462 infections. According to The Weather Network, the disease spreads through multiple vectors, including tick bites, contact with infected animals, and even lawn mowing — as running over infected animal nests can aerosolize the bacteria, leading to widespread respiratory exposure. The bacterium responsible, Francisella tularensis, is naturally occurring in over 50 kinds of animals and can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, muscle aches, and potentially pneumonia in humans. Without proper antibiotic treatment, rabbit fever can be fatal. Children ages five to nine and older men between 65 and 84 years old face the highest risk, with most cases concentrated in central U.S. states. The rise in tularemia cases connects directly to our planet's changing climate conditions. Warming temperatures expand tick habitats and lengthen their active seasons, creating ideal conditions for illnesses such as tularemia to flourish — and mirroring the increasing spread of other vector-borne diseases. A 2022 McGill University study found increasing numbers of Canadians getting sick from tick-borne pathogens, with previously rare infections beginning to appear as well. On the whole, vector-borne diseases represent a significant global health threat, accounting for more than 17% of all infectious diseases and causing more than 700,000 deaths annually, the World Health Organization reported. These can be caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Malaria alone, a parasitic infection transmitted by Anopheline mosquitoes, affects an estimated 249 million people globally and results in more than 608,000 deaths each year, with most victims being children under five years old. Several countries are taking a unique approach to tracking vector-borne illnesses, including advanced surveillance systems that monitor tick and mosquito populations alongside climate data. These efforts help health authorities anticipate outbreaks and deploy resources more effectively. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When it comes to watching out for yourself, wearing protective clothing and applying bug spray when outdoors in grassy or wooded areas provides a critical barrier against tick and mosquito bites. Performing thorough tick checks after outdoor activities helps catch any hitchhikers before they have a chance to attach and transmit disease. Seeking early medical attention for unexplained flu-like symptoms after outdoor activities also ensures prompt antibiotic treatment if needed. Meanwhile, it's important to reduce carbon pollution and build climate resilience to address a root cause of increasing vector illnesses — our warming planet. Making efficient upgrades to your home can both lower your utility bills and help Mother Earth stay green. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
