Topic overview
In brief
- Health officials are investigating three probable cases of tularemia in Suffolk County, New York.
- The CDC reports 64 cases of tularemia across the U.S. in 2026, with fewer than 200 cases typically reported each year.
- Tularemia is a rare disease, and the overall risk to the public is low.
Summary
In Suffolk County, New York, health officials are currently investigating three probable cases of tularemia, commonly referred to as rabbit fever. This rare bacterial infection is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and is typically associated with flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and skin ulcers. The investigation comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a total of 64 cases of tularemia across the United States in 2026, with fewer than 200 cases generally reported each year. The cases in Suffolk County have not yet been confirmed, and laboratory testing is expected to take several weeks to yield results.
Tularemia is primarily transmitted to humans through bites from infected ticks or deer flies, handling infected animals, inhaling contaminated dust, or consuming contaminated water. The disease is most commonly reported between May and September, coinciding with increased outdoor activities and heightened tick activity. Importantly, tularemia is not contagious between people, meaning that individuals infected with the disease cannot transmit it to others. The nickname 'rabbit fever' stems from the fact that rabbits are among the animals most frequently associated with carrying the bacteria, although current infections are more likely to occur through tick bites.