Three Suspected Cases of Rare 'Rabbit Fever' Reported in New York

Public health officials in New York are warning that rabbit fever has been observed in at least three people. Read on for the details of this rare but serious infection.

Three Suspected Cases of Rabbit Fever in New York Reported

The Suffolk County Department of Health in New York announced on Monday that it has observed three likely cases of tularemia, otherwise known as rabbit fever. The infection most often happens after a bite from a tick or a fly that has previously bitten a sick rabbit.

Individuals can also become infected after direct contact with a sick animal, eating undercooked contaminated rabbit meat, through drinking water, or by inhaling dust that has been contaminated with the F. tularensis bacteria. The disease is not contagious between humans.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of tularemia tend to increase in May through September. The CDC documents less than 200 cases per year; however, this volume has been increasing in recent years.

Located on Long Island, Suffolk County has only seen a few cases of rabbit fever over the years. Most recently, the county reported four cases in 2024.

Tularemia Symptoms and Treatment Options

Humans typically exhibit a high fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue when infected with the bacteria. A large sore can develop if the infection is caught through a tick or a fly bite. The symptoms usually present three to five days after initial exposure; however, it can take as long as 21 days.