Tularemia
Tularemia, also known as tularaemia, rabbit fever, deer fly fever, meat-cutter’s disease, Ohara disease, or Francis disease, is a severe infectious bacterial disease of animals transmissible to humans, characterized by ulcers at the site of infection, fever, and loss of weight. Tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis.
The disease is usually found in wild rabbits and hares and seldom encountered in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Most human cases have been limited to North America and linked to exposure to the cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).[1][2] There have been no reported human cases of tularemia acquired from O. cuniculus.
There are two biovars of F. tularensis: type A is generally found in North America, while type B is found in Europe and Asia.[3]
Symptoms
Clinical signs in rabbits have not been well described due to animals often being found dead. Experimentally infected animals can develop the following signs:[4]
- Weakness
- Fever
- Skin ulcers
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Abscesses
- Death in 8 to 14 days.
Symptoms in a deceased rabbit can include the following:[5]
- white- or yellow-spotted liver
- the liver and/or spleen may be a dark bluish-red and appear very swollen
- external ulcerations or infected areas where the animal was bitten by a tick or deer fly
Causes
Tularemia bacteria can be found in the organs or body fluids of infected animals, which contaminates the environment. The bacteria can live for long periods of time (weeks to months) in soil, vegetation and water and serve as a source of infection for other animals or humans.
Rabbits get tularemia orally by drinking contaminated water. They can also inhale the bacteria, have direct contact with it in contaminated environments (entry through the mucous membranes or breaks/cuts in the skin), or be bitten by infected biting flies or ticks.
Treatment
Treatment includes antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines) and supportive care.[3]
A vaccination is available for humans and has been shown to be effective experimentally in rabbits.[6]
Further reading
- Yahoo Health. Dangerous 'Rabbit Fever' Spikes in the US
See also
References
- ↑ Frances Harcourt-Brown. (2009). Infectious diseases of domestic rabbits. Retrieved 18 Dec 2024 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7149797/
- ↑ Olga Mínguez-González et al. (2021). Tularemia Outbreaks in Spain from 2007 to 2020 in Humans and Domestic and Wild Animals. Retrieved 18 Dec 2024 from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/7/892
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Molly Varga. (2013). Infectious Diseases of Domestic Rabbits. Retrieved 18 Dec 2024 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7149792/
- ↑ AVMA. (n.d.). Tularemia in animals. Retrieved 18 Dec 2024 from https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/tularemia-animals
- ↑ DePerno, C. (2013). Rabbit Hunters Take Note: Steps to Avoid Tularemia. Retrieved 23 May 2016 from http://www.outdoorhub.com/how-to/2013/02/25/rabbit-hunters-take-note-steps-to-avoid-tularemia/
- ↑ Marcela F Pasetti et al. (2008). An improved Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) is well tolerated and highly immunogenic when administered to rabbits in escalating doses using various immunization routes. Retrieved 18 Dec 2024 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18308432/