Life-threatening rabbit plague: How to protect yourself now!

Life-threatening rabbit plague: How to protect yourself now!

Rabbit plague, also known as tularemia, is currently a hot topic of particular concern to rural populations, hunters and forest workers. This everyday animal disease is caused by the bacteriumFrancisella tularensiswhich occurs primarily in wild animals such as hares, rabbits and rodents. As Schwäbische.de reports, the transmission routes for humans are diverse: Infections can occur through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated food or water, but also through insect bites.

The symptoms usually appear 3 to 5 days after infection and initially manifest themselves as fever, headaches, body aches and extreme fatigue. If left untreated, almost a third of those affected can die, and some experts even estimate that the mortality rate can be up to 60% if timely intervention is not done.

Current developments in Germany

The current numbers are alarming. Last year, 71 cases were registered in Bavaria, with the trend increasing. The number of unreported cases could be even higher because not all infections are detected or reported. The most recent three cases in the northern district of Munich are particularly impressive, where two people were infected, including one from a tick bite. A similar case also occurred in the Mühldorf am Inn district. Fortunately, both sufferers are on the mend after being treated with antibiotics.

The first cases have also appeared in Baden-Württemberg, specifically in the Biberach and Sigmaringen districts. This shows that the risk of transmission of tularemia has increased due to a revival of the population of brown hares and wild rabbits as well as a milder climate. These factors are probably contributing to the increase in the number of cases, as USZ.ch explains.

Prevention and precautions

Diagnosing tularemia is often difficult because the symptoms are not specific and can be confused with various other diseases. The most important risk factors for a doctor include contact with wild animals, tick bites and stays in endemic areas. This makes preventative measures all the more important: wearing gloves and protective clothing when gardening and hunting, washing your hands thoroughly and cooking game meat through are essential. Insect and tick protection is also important in nature.

Since there is currently no approved vaccine against rabbit fever, prevention remains the only protection. It should be particularly emphasized that human-to-human transmission has not been documented in Germany, so the risk to the general public remains limited.

In its guides, the Robert Koch Institute provides information about the dangers of tularemia and provides valuable tips for prevention. As RKI.de notes, early suspicion and the right action are essential to contain the spread of the disease.

Especially at this time of year, when many people are enjoying nature, warning is advised. Raising awareness and education about the risks of rabbit plague and preventive measures are crucial to avoid serious health consequences.