there was one Significant increase in tularemia cases – A rare bacterial disease also known as rabbit fever that has emerged in the last decade. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2011 and 2022, 47 states reported 2,462 cases, a 56 percent increase from the previous decade.

More than 50 percent of the cases are from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The CDC says tularemia is known as rabbit fever because it is often spread to humans through contact with infected rabbits. The bacterium Francisella tularensis is commonly found in wild animals such as rabbits, hares, muskrats, otters, and squirrels.

It is a rare bacterial disease francisella tularensis – and is spread by the bites of insects such as ticks and deer flies, handling infected animals, breathing contaminated air or drinking unsafe water. According to experts, Tularemia can cause swelling in your lymph nodes Seriously, that looks like a big bump on your body. Sometimes this causes broken skin or ulcers in the place where F. tularensis bacteria enter your body.

Who does tularemia affect?,

According to doctors, tularemia affects anyone, but your work, hobbies, or other aspects of your life may bring you into close contact with animals and insects that are already infected with F. Are infected with tularensis. You may be at higher risk for tularemia if you:

• hunting game or handling raw meat
• Are they a veterinarian, animal control officer or another person who handles animals as part of their job
• there are biting insects around
• Immune system weakened due to autoimmune diseases
• are farm laborers

Types of Tularemia You Need to Be Careful About

The CDC says there are several forms of tularemia, all depending on how you became infected with the bacteria and where your symptoms begin. Some types of conditions include:

ulceroglandular tularemia

This is the most common form of tularemia, which you can get from a tick or infected animal bite. It affects your skin and lymph nodes.

glandular tularemia

It is quite similar to ulceroglandular tularemia, but only affects your lymph nodes when you are bitten by a tick directly from an infected animal.

oculoglandular tularemia

Oculoglandular tularemia occurs when you drink contaminated water, causing your eyes to become infected.

oropharyngeal tularemia

You can get oropharyngeal tularemia by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching your hands to your mouth without washing them. This causes a sore throat and sometimes digestive symptoms.

pneumonic tularemia

Pneumonic tularemia is the most severe form of the condition, with symptoms similar to pneumonia.

Why are tularemia cases increasing across the US?

According to the CDC, the increase in tularemia cases across the US is likely due to a combination of several factors, including:

• Better detection methods
• Increased awareness among health service providers
• Increasing population in areas where the disease is prevalent
• Potential changes in wildlife populations increase the likelihood of exposure to infected animals or ticks, which spread the bacteria responsible for tularemia.

However, researchers are still investigating the exact reasons why a huge increase in the number of diseases has been observed.

What is Signs and Symptoms of Tularemia,

The signs and symptoms of tularemia depend on which type you have. Most forms cause fever, a variety of rashes, and additional symptoms specific to where the infection is in your body. Some symptoms include:

• high fever
• swollen and painful lymph nodes
• open sores on your skin, such as ulcers or sores
• pain in eyes
• sensitivity to light
• severe sore throat
• vomiting and diarrhea
• stomach pain
• cough
• breathlessness
• Chest pain or tightness.
• muscle pain
• red bumps or rashes

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