New York Reports Three Probable Cases of Tularemia Infection

WHO:

Newsday - A Riverhead woman over 65 years old is being treated for tularemia.

Newsday - Dr. Michael Huang is the chief of infectious diseases at Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Newsday - Tracey Detmer is a Riverhead resident whose 9-year-old son, John, was diagnosed with tularemia.

WHAT:

Newsday - The woman was bitten by her cat while trying to give it medication.

Newsday - This incident marks the fourth probable case of tularemia in Suffolk County this year.

WCVB - The Suffolk County Department of Health reported three probable cases of tularemia.

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

WCVB - Symptoms of tularemia include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, tiredness, and large sores.

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

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

WHERE:

Newsday - The woman is being treated at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, New York.

WCVB - Suffolk County is located on Long Island, New York.

WHEN:

Newsday - The woman came into the emergency department several days ago after being bitten.

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

WCVB - Four cases of tularemia were reported in Suffolk County in 2024, three in 2023, and one in 2022.

WHY:

Newsday - Tularemia can be transmitted to people by ticks and flies from sick wild rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals.

WCVB - The disease does not spread from person to person.

HOW:

Newsday - The woman was bitten by her cat, which had been outdoors and may have been exposed to infected animals.

WCVB - People can contract tularemia through direct contact with sick animals, drinking contaminated water, or inhaling contaminated dust.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 20:37 UTC)

A woman over 65 from Riverhead, New York, is currently receiving treatment for tularemia at Peconic Bay Medical Center after being bitten by her cat while administering medication. This incident marks the fourth probable case of tularemia reported in Suffolk County this year, with symptoms that include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. Tularemia is caused by the F. tularensis bacteria and can be transmitted through contact with infected animals, but it does not spread from person to person.