AMERICANALMANAC (Ken Jacobs) - Fourth case of 'rabbit fever' confirmed on Long Island as tick-borne infections climb
Suffolk County health officials have confirmed a fourth case of tularemia on Long Island this year, extending a steady rise in the rare but potentially deadly tick-borne illness that has no vaccine available to the public. Dr. Gregson Pigott, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, confirmed the latest case to ABC News […] The post Fourth case of 'rabbit fever' confirmed on Long Island as tick-borne infections climb appeared first on American Almanac .
Suffolk County health officials have confirmed a fourth case of tularemia on Long Island this year, extending a steady rise in the rare but potentially deadly tick-borne illness that has no vaccine available to the public. Dr. Gregson Pigott, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, confirmed the latest case to ABC News on Thursday. The bacterial infection, caused by the organism Francisella tularensis, is commonly known as "rabbit fever" because hunters who skin and gut wild rabbits risk direct exposure. It spreads to humans primarily through tick bites, deer fly bites, handling infected animal tissue, breathing contaminated dust, or drinking contaminated water. It does not spread person to person. The case…Open