An outbreak of tularemia – more commonly known as ‘rabbit fever’ – has recently washed over the state of Wyoming, as the state’s public health chief reported that there had been eight ‘confirmed and suspected’ cases of this, the highest since monitoring began a decade ago. The average number of cases in the state is typically two per year.

At a press conference on Thursday, June 27th, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) issued an alarm about the spike in cases in Sheridan, Campbell and Fremont counties.

Tularemia is a potentially fatal disease caused by bacteria that is found in rabbits, hares and rodents but can also be transmitted from these animals to humans and other animals. People become infected with tularemia by being bitten by infected ticks and deer flies, by coming into direct contact with infected animals or their flesh and organs, by eating or drinking contaminated water, and possibly by inhaling bacteria in aerosols or dust from activities such as agriculture or landscaping.

It’s not widespread, but tularemia is a serious disease for those infected, and that’s why we are taking a proactive approach to public education,’ said Clay Van Houten, the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit Manager at WDH, adding that there is a high level of worry due to an unusually early spike in cases this summer.

Tularemia is a fickle disease. Its symptoms’ severity and variety depend on the mode of infection; but fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes are common. Diagnosis and treatment quickly with antibiotics can avert death or severe complications.

The health department of Waupaca County has yet to identify the source of the outbreak, but they continue to investigate to prevent further transmission. And since the source has not yet been found, they have issued precautions to people who live or visit the county so they can protect themselves from HUS exposure: use insect repellent, cover yourself with protective clothing when handling any animal, and don’t come into direct contact with any sick or dead animal.

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