Minnesota health officials are monitoring an increase in tularemia cases among humans and companion animals, particularly in Twin Cities residents and in cats.
Five cases of tularemia have been reported in humans in the state this year. "Two people developed tularemia after being bitten by a tick, one after being bitten by a stray cat and one was likely exposed while mowing the lawn,” the Minnesota Department of Health said in a statement. The fifth case is under investigation.
Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” is a potentially serious illness that affects both animals and humans and occurs naturally in Minnesota. It is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, which is found in wildlife, especially rabbits, squirrels, beavers, muskrats and other rodents.
Pets, particularly those that spend time outdoors, are typically exposed to the bacteria through hunting these animals or through bites from ticks or flies. Symptoms in animals may include high fever, weakness, lack of appetite, skin or mouth ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated in pets, tularemia can be fatal.
Humans can become infected from tick and fly bites, scratches or bites from an infected pet cat, or by touching animals that carry the disease. They may also be exposed by breathing in the Francisella tularensis bacteria when accidentally mowing over a dead animal or a contaminated rabbit nest.
“We confirm a few cases of tularemia in Minnesota wildlife nearly every year,” said Dr. Mary Wood, a wildlife veterinarian with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“Tularemia is one of several diseases that can be shared between wildlife, pets and people,” Wood added. “Limiting direct contact with wild animals is an important step to protect yourself, your pets, and Minnesota’s wildlife.”
Symptoms in humans generally appear three to five days after exposure, but they can manifest as soon as the following day or up to 14 days after exposure.
The illness typically begins with a sudden onset of fever and may include symptoms such as skin wounds or ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, chills, joint and muscle pain and nausea. Tularemia can be treated with antibiotics.
In Minnesota, up to six human cases of tularemia are reported annually. Importantly, tularemia does not spread from person to person.
To help keep people and pets safe from tularemia, the Minnesota Health Department recommends keeping cats indoors, giving pets preventative medication for tick bites, using insect repellent, avoiding contact with wild animals that appear sick or dead and checking yards for rabbit nests or dead animals before mowing.
Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an ill animal should contact the health department and consult a health care professional. If there are concerns about tularemia in pets, health officials advise talking to a veterinarian.
