Suffolk County health officials are investigating three probable cases of tularemia, a rare bacterial illness often called rabbit fever that spreads through ticks and flies, raising fresh concerns over tick-borne illnesses on Long Island. According to the Suffolk County Health Department, diagnosing the rare condition requires a mix of lab tests and clinical criteria, with confirmation sometimes taking several weeks.
Understanding Tularemia and Rabbit Fever Risks
Tularemia is a serious disease caused by bacteria that can infect humans through the bite of an infected tick or fly, contact with sick wildlife, contaminated water, or inhaled dust, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State Health Department records show four tularemia cases in Suffolk County in 2024, three in 2023, and one in 2022, while Nassau County reported a single case in 2023. Nationally, the CDC tracks between 150 and 200 cases annually.
Did You Know? Unlike tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, tularemia cannot be transmitted directly between family members, according to Dr. Sharon Nachman of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
Real-Life Impact on Long Island Families
Local families are feeling the real-world impact of the rare infection. Tracey Detmer of Riverhead shared that her 9-year-old son, John, was diagnosed with tularemia in May after she removed a tick from his head.
"His stamina is still low, his energy is low," Detmer said, noting her son still experiences leg and neck pain.
Detmer recalled finding a massive lesion where the tick bit her son on April 23. The next day, John returned from school with swollen lymph glands in his neck, leading to a 10-day fever. After two rounds of doxycycline and a lengthy wait for lab results, the family received the official diagnosis on May 20.
Symptoms and Medical Guidance
Doctors emphasize that tularemia presents differently than standard tick-borne infections common to the region.
"These patients are quite sick, and they often come to the doctor or the emergency room with high fevers, an ulcer in their skin at the site of the bite and infected lymph nodes," said Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious disease at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
Symptoms include high fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, which medical professionals typically treat using antibiotics such as doxycycline. Health officials advise residents to remain cautious around tall grass and local wildlife populations, particularly rabbits and rodents that may carry infected vectors.
Pro Tip: Infectious disease experts suggest saving removed ticks in a bag so they can be accurately identified by medical professionals if symptoms develop.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tularemia
How do humans contract tularemia?
People can become infected through the bite of an infected tick or fly, handling sick or dead animals, drinking contaminated water, or inhaling dust containing the bacteria, according to the CDC.
What are the primary symptoms of rabbit fever?
Common symptoms include a skin ulcer at the site of the bite, painful swelling of the lymph nodes, high fever, and severe fatigue.
Can tularemia spread from person to person?
No. According to Dr. Sharon Nachman, the infection does not transmit between family members.
How common is tularemia in Suffolk County?
It remains rare. State health data shows a small handful of cases locally each year, with three probable cases reported so far.