Three probable cases of tularemia — "rabbit fever" — have been reported in Suffolk County, New York, including a 9-year-old boy who experienced severe head and neck pain and a prolonged fever. The disease, caused by Francisella tularensis, is most often transmitted by ticks, deer flies or other insect bites and is most common from May through September. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes and painful lesions; most cases respond to antibiotics, though lab confirmation can take weeks. Local counts in 2023–2024 are the highest since 2014.
Three Probable 'Rabbit Fever' Cases in Suffolk County, NY — 9-Year-Old Among Those Affected
Rabbits in EnglandCredit: Getty
Health officials in Suffolk County, New York, say three probable cases of tularemia — commonly known as "rabbit fever" — have been reported this year. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) told local outlets that laboratory confirmation requires a combination of tests and clinical or epidemiologic criteria, and that confirmatory testing can take several weeks.
What Is Tularemia?
Tularemia is a highly infectious bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis. According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Cleveland Clinic, the infection is most commonly transmitted to people through bites from infected ticks, deer flies or fleas, direct contact with infected animals or their tissues and fluids, and less frequently via contaminated food or water. The CDC notes that cases are most common from May through September, when biting insects are most active.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms can vary by how the infection entered the body but often include:
Wild rabbitsCredit: Getty
- Fever and chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches, nausea and vomiting
- Pain or ulceration at the site of a bite or wound
Most infections are treatable with appropriate antibiotics. Early diagnosis helps speed recovery, but confirmatory lab results may take time, so clinicians often start treatment based on clinical signs and exposure history.
Case Spotlight: 9-Year-Old Boy
One probable case involves a 9-year-old boy, John Detmer, who tested positive on May 20 after roughly a month of symptoms. His mother, Tracey Detmer, told reporters she discovered a tick on his scalp after he played in the family yard. John experienced severe head and neck pain, a fever that lasted about 10 days, swollen lymph nodes and a painful, draining lesion at the bite site. The family visited doctors several times before tularemia was identified.
"When I realized it was rabbit fever, I panicked because we have wild rabbits in our yard all the time," Tracey told local outlets, noting that the family never handled the animals.
Local Trends and Practical Advice
SCDHS recorded four cases in 2024 and three cases in 2023, the highest local totals since 2014. Health officials emphasize prevention and early care:
- Check for ticks after outdoor activities, especially between May and September.
- Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants in areas with ticks or deer flies.
- Avoid handling wild animals and use gloves if you must handle carcasses.
- Seek medical attention for persistent fever, swollen lymph nodes, severe pain, or draining lesions after an insect bite or animal contact.
People with questions or suspected exposure should consult their healthcare provider or local health department. PEOPLE reached out to SCDHS for additional comment but had not received an immediate response.
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