Alarm! Rabbit plague threatens southern Germany – one in three could die!

Alarm! Rabbit plague threatens southern Germany – one in three could die!

In recent weeks, health authorities in Germany, particularly in southern Germany, have reported a worrying increase in cases of rabbit plague, also known as tularemia. This serious zoonosis is caused by the bacteriumFrancisella tularensiswhich occurs primarily in hares and wild rabbits. The dangerous pathogen has increasingly affected humans in recent years; The transmission routes are diverse and include contact with broken skin, contaminated water and tick bites, such as Swabian reports.

A particularly alarming detail is the high mortality rate in untreated cases: it is estimated that a third of those affected die, while some doctors even estimate that the death rate can be as high as 60% if no treatment is given. The symptoms should not be underestimated - they range from high fever to ulcers at the entry points to pain in the head and limbs. The incubation period is around ten days, which makes a quick reaction to the first signs of the disease all the more important.

Symptoms and routes of transmission

The typical symptoms of rabbit fever can easily be confused with other diseases, making early diagnosis difficult. Fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes are some of the most common signs, such as Healthpedia reports. If left unnoticed, the disease can cause death in animals within just a few days, which underlines the urgency of preventive measures. These include wearing gloves when gardening, washing your hands thoroughly and eating sufficiently cooked game meat. More cases were detected, particularly in the Biberach and Sigmaringen districts in Baden-Württemberg.

The means of transmission are numerous: from blood-sucking parasites such as ticks and fleas to consumption of infected meat and inhalation of contaminated aerosols. People who work or hunt in nature are particularly at risk. It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately if an infection is suspected, as timely treatment with antibiotics can be life-saving. Without treatment, one in three people has an increased risk of dying.

Prevention and outlook

A vaccine against rabbit plague is not available in Germany because previous attempts to develop an effective vaccine were discontinued due to limited effectiveness. The lack of awareness about this disease and the high number of unreported cases during registration make containment difficult. Health authorities are therefore warning of a possible increase in diseases, particularly in view of the increasing populations of wild rabbits and hares in the region, which are seen as possible reasons for the spread of the disease.

A recent article highlights how the bacteriumFrancisella tularensis: has the ability to replicate in human cells using various genetic strategies. This information, among other things, in studies documented in detail highlight the challenges researchers and health authorities face in the fight against this dangerous disease.

Educating the population about the risks and preventive measures therefore remains a key point in order to prevent serious outbreaks of rabbit plague in the future.