Suffolk County Health Officials Report Three Probable Cases of Rare 'Rabbit Fever'
Health officials in Suffolk County have announced three probable cases of tularemia, commonly known as 'rabbit fever'. This bacterial disease is spread through tick and deer fly bites, as well as through contact with infected rabbits, hares, and rodents. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) stated that confirmation of tularemia requires a combination of laboratory testing and specific clinical or epidemiologic criteria. One of the affected individuals is nine-year-old John Detmer, who became ill after playing in his yard, which is frequented by wild rabbits. Despite not directly touching the rabbits, John was bitten by a tick, leading to severe symptoms including head and neck pain and a prolonged fever. Tularemia is rare, with only 196 cases reported in the U.S. in 2023, and is most common from May to September. Suffolk County had four cases in 2024, the highest since 2014.