Rabbit fever case confirmed in Gage County

It was confirmed Tuesday that a young Gage County adult has contracted tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever.”

“It was detected in the last couple of days. It was confirmed late yesterday,” Marcy Bauer, Public Health Solutions environmental health manager, said Wednesday.

This is the first human case for the PHS district since local disease surveillance began in the five-county coverage area three years ago, Kim Whitley, PHS epidemiology/surveillance coordinator, said. The five counties are Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Fillmore and Thayer.

Tularemia is a rare bacterial infection normally found in the animal population, usually rabbits and rodents.

Human cases are rare in Southeast Nebraska. It is contracted by direct contact with infected, sick or dead rabbits or via ticks or deerflies that have fed on infected animals. It cannot be passed from person to person.

Signs and symptoms are severe skin infection, skin ulcers, swollen lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea and pneumonia. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible. It takes three to five days, sometimes up to 14, before symptoms may occur.

“It can be fatal if not treated,” Bauer said.

Tularemia is treatable with antibiotics. Early diagnosis is best for complete recovery.

Tularemia must be confirmed by the Nebraska Public Health Department.

“It's usually a rarely reported disease,” Nebraska Public Health Veterinarian Annette Bredthauer said.

In 2005 there were eight confirmed cases in Nebraska, the most reported cases since 2000, according to the Nebraska Health and Human Services Public Health Surveillance department.

So far in 2006, three cases had been confirmed in the state.

Bauer recommended the following tips to avoid contracting Tularemia:

n Avoid drinking, bathing, swimming or working in untreated water where infection may be common among wild animals.

n Use impervious gloves when skinning or handling animals, especially rabbits.

n Avoid mowing over active rabbit nests.

n Cook the meat of wild rabbits and rodents thoroughly.

n Avoid tick-infested areas (typically weedy, grassy areas near woods.)

n Check frequently for ticks on clothing and body.

n Wear light-colored clothing that covers as much skin as can be tolerated.

n Tuck long pants into your socks and boots. Wear a head covering or hat for added protection.

n During extremely hot weather when excessive clothing may not be appropriate, use insect repellent responsibly. Follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Always supervise children in the use of repellents. Be sure to wash treated skins after coming indoors.

n If ticks are found on the body, remove them immediately and carefully using tweezers and wash the bite area with soap and water. It is also suggested that if bitten, note when you were bitten and save the tick, to enable a physician to diagnose in the case of infection.

For additional information on tularemia or other public health issues contact Public Health Solutions at 1-888-310-0565 or www.phsneb.org.