Three Possible Cases of Rare Tick-borne 'Rabbit Fever' in NY

WHO:

CNN - Suffolk County Department of Health in New York reported three probable cases of tularemia.

ABC News - Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, provided insights on the disease.

ABC News - Dr. Zoe Weiss, director of clinical microbiology at Tufts Medical Center, discussed symptoms and treatment.

WHAT:

CNN - Three probable cases of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, have been reported.

CNN - Tularemia is caused by infection with F. tularensis bacteria.

ABC News - Laboratory testing is needed to confirm the cases of tularemia, which may take several weeks.

CNN - Fewer than 200 cases of tularemia have been reported annually in the U.S. from 2019 to 2023.

CNN - Symptoms of tularemia can include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, tiredness, and a large sore at the bite site.

WHERE:

CNN - The cases are located in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.

ABC News - Tularemia is commonly spread in areas where infected animals, such as wild rabbits, hares, muskrats, and rodents, are present.

WHEN:

CNN - Tularemia cases are more common from May through September.

CNN - Four cases of rabbit fever were reported in Suffolk County in 2024, three in 2023, and one in 2022.

WHY:

CNN - Tularemia can occur after a bite from a tick or fly that has previously bitten a sick mammal, typically a rabbit.

ABC News - The disease does not spread from person to person.

HOW:

CNN - Tularemia can be contracted through direct contact with sick animals, drinking contaminated water, inhaling contaminated dust, or eating undercooked contaminated rabbit meat.

ABC News - The infection is treatable with antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin, and amikacin.

CNN - To prevent tularemia, the health department recommends avoiding tick bites, using gloves when handling animals, and cooking game meat thoroughly.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 04:15 UTC)

In Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, three probable cases of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, have been reported, with laboratory testing needed for confirmation. Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dr. Zoe Weiss from Tufts Medical Center have provided insights into the disease, which can cause symptoms like high fever and swollen lymph nodes, and is typically contracted through contact with infected animals or contaminated water. The health department advises preventive measures such as avoiding tick bites and thoroughly cooking game meat, as tularemia is treatable with antibiotics like streptomycin and gentamicin.