Tularaemia (Rabbit Plague)

Symptoms

The possible symptoms of tularemia, or rabbit plague, include:

The symptoms are varied because they depend on the organs affected and the port of entry. The bacterium can enter the body through the skin, eyes, mouth and lungs:

  • Skin: skin ulceration at the site of entry, regional lymph node swelling.
  • Eyes: irritation, conjunctivitis, redness, discharge, swelling.
  • Gastrointestinal tract: sore throat, ulceration of the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Lungs: Cough, pain, breathing problems
  • Spleen and liver swelling

Untreated tularemia can be life-threatening.

Cause

Tularemia is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium. Several subspecies are known. Mammals affected include hares, rabbits, mice, rats, and squirrels. Occasionally, humans are also infected. This is referred to as a zoonosis. The bacterium can survive for weeks in soil, water, and dead animals. Even frozen meat remains infectious. The incubation period is in the range of 3 to 14 days. Very few bacteria are required for infection. Humans become infected on the one hand through tick bites, mosquito bites, or horsefly bites. The bacteria can also be transmitted through contact with animals (e.g., hunters, gamekeepers, forest workers, animal breeders), through meat, water, and through dust, for example, during gardening (e.g., mowing lawns, haying). In contrast, infection between humans does not occur, according to the literature.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by medical treatment based on patient history, clinical symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory methods (e.g., culture, PCR, antibodies). Because the disease is relatively rare and symptoms are often nonspecific, diagnosis can be difficult.

Prevention

  • Protection against insect and tick bites, for example, with repellents and rules of conduct.
  • Wear gloves and goggles when in contact with animals.
  • Boil or treat water in the wild.
  • Roast game meat well.
  • Vaccines are available in some countries.
  • When mowing the lawn could wear a respirator.

Treatment

Oral and parenteral antibiotics are administered for treatment, for example, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and quinolones.