What is rabbit plague?
Tularemia, colloquially known as rabbit plague, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and mainly affects wild animals such as hares, rabbits and rodents. However, it can also be transmitted to humans and therefore belongs to the so-called zoonoses. Infection usually occurs through insect or tick bites, direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Tularemia can be treated well with antibiotics, but if left untreated it can lead to death.
Causes: How to become infected with rabbit plague
The bacterium Francisella tularensis is widespread in nature and can survive in water, soil or plants. Infection often occurs through the bite of infected ticks or insects, direct contact with infected animals (e.g. when hunting or slaughtering). Inhalation of contaminated dust or contact with contaminated water can also lead to infection. Even a small number of pathogens is enough to trigger an illness. So far, there is no evidence that tularemia is transmitted from person to person.
Rabbit plague - rising numbers in Switzerland
Tularemia is rare in Switzerland, but numbers have been rising since 2015. In recent years, an increasing number of cases have been observed throughout Europe, particularly in connection with tick bites or the hunting and processing of wild animals. However, the exact reasons for the increase in the number of cases are not fully understood. Possible factors could be increased awareness and better diagnostics, changes in the environment or in the behavior of wild animal populations, as well as climatic influences.
How does hare plague manifest itself - the symptoms
The course of tularemia can vary greatly depending on the transmission route and the organs affected. The first symptoms usually appear three to five days after infection:
- Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain
- Extreme physical weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes near the entry site
Other symptoms of hare plague depend heavily on where the pathogen enters the human body:
- Skin ulcers and progressive, purulent inflammation
- Respiratory symptoms up to and including pneumonia
- Conjunctivitis
- Pharyngitis or tonsillitis, mouth ulcers
- Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
If left untreated, rabbit plague can be fatal. If you suspect an infection, you should consult your family doctor, as the illness can be treated with antibiotics.
Diagnosis of tularemia - not always easy
The diagnosis of tularemia is not always easy, as the symptoms are often non-specific and can resemble other diseases. However, early diagnosis is important, as rapid antibiotic treatment can prevent severe cases of rabbit plague. It is therefore essential that doctors think about this rare infection, especially if patients have had previous contact with wild animals, have been bitten by ticks or have been exposed to contaminated dust, for example when cleaning up a stable.
Clinical history of tularemia
Your doctor will first ask you about possible risk factors:
- Contact with rabbits, rodents or other wild animals
- Stay in endemic areas
- Insect bites (especially ticks)
- Working in agriculture or in the garden
- Tidying up/cleaning a stable/room where rodents may have been present
Laboratory tests for tularemia
- Blood test (serology): Detection of antibodies against Francisella tularensis (only detectable after a few days to weeks)
- PCR test: direct detection of the pathogen from blood, tissue, wound swabs or lymph node punctates
- Culture: Cultivation of the bacterium from body fluids (only carried out in specialized laboratories, as F. tularensis is highly infectious)
If necessary, further examinations are carried out, such as ultrasound or CT to examine swollen lymph nodes or organ involvement.
As the disease is notifiable, confirmed cases must be passed on to the health authorities.
Treatment - antibiotics help
Tularemia is usually treated with antibiotics for seven to ten days. Depending on the site of entry and symptoms, further medication may be used (e.g. eye drops). In rare cases, larger abscesses have to be drained surgically.
Prevention - How can I protect myself from rabbit plague?
To protect yourself from rabbit plague, you should avoid unprotected contact with live or dead wild animals. Work and kitchen hygiene are particularly important when handling game meat, and game dishes should always be cooked thoroughly.
Since tularemia infections can also occur through the bite or sting of ticks, biting flies or mosquitoes, appropriate insect and tick protection is recommended when spending time outdoors.
There is no vaccination against tularemia.
