Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)
Tularemia is a rare infectious disease that can attack the skin, eyes and lungs. Fewer than 200
cases of tularemia are reported annually in the United States — mainly in western and south central
states. Tularemia, often called rabbit fever or deerfly fever, is caused by the bacterium
Francisella tularensis. The disease mainly affects animals, especially rodents, rabbits and
hares, though it can also infect birds, reptiles and fish. Tularemia spreads to humans through
several routes, including insect bites and direct exposure to an infected animal. Highly
contagious and potentially fatal if not treated, tularemia has been identified as a possible
bioweapon. If diagnosed early, doctors can usually treat tularemia effectively with antibiotics,
but the goal is to eliminate tularemia.
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