Suffolk County Confirms Three Suspected Tularemia Cases on Long Island

The Suffolk County Department of Health announced three probable cases of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, in Long Island. Diagnosis is based on laboratory testing and specific clinical or epidemiologic criteria, according to department spokesperson Ryan Defelippis. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and can be transmitted through tick or deer‑fly bites, contact with infected rabbits, hares or rodents, contaminated water, or inhalation of dust from infected animals. The disease is not contagious between people. Symptoms vary by form and may include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, and respiratory problems. One of the cases involves a nine‑year‑old boy, John Detmer, who fell ill after a tick was removed from his head. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises using insect repellent, wearing gloves when handling wildlife, and avoiding mowing over dead animals. Tularemia cases in the United States remain rare, with fewer than 200 reported in 2023, but four cases have been reported in 2024, the highest number since before 2014, possibly linked to a longer tick season driven by climate change.