Child diagnosed with rare rabbit fever after playing in yard

In Suffolk County, New York, health officials reported three probable cases of tularemia, commonly known as rabbit fever, which is a bacterial disease. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced these potential cases, emphasizing that confirmation may take weeks due to the need for laboratory testing and specific clinical criteria. One of the affected individuals is nine-year-old John Detmer, who fell ill after playing in his yard, which is frequented by wild rabbits. His symptoms began in late April, following a tick removal from his head, despite him not having direct contact with the rabbits. John experienced severe head and neck pain, along with a prolonged fever lasting ten days. After several doctor visits, an infectious disease specialist diagnosed him with tularemia, a rare illness that had only 196 cases reported in the United States in 2023. The disease is more prevalent during the warmer months, particularly from May to September. In 2024, Suffolk County reported four cases, marking the highest number since before 2014. Fortunately, most infections of tularemia can be treated with antibiotics, although the disease can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends preventive measures such as using insect repellent, wearing gloves when handling sick or dead animals, and avoiding mowing over deceased animals to reduce the risk of infection. This news follows the recent confirmation of an even rarer tick-borne virus, Bourbon virus, in Suffolk County, which has no known preventive vaccines or cures. Michael Larkin, a 67-year-old man, contracted the Bourbon virus while working outdoors in 2021, and it took years for his diagnosis due to the virus's symptoms resembling other tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.