Rabbit Fever Spread In US: On one hand, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is spreading rapidly in China. There is an emergency like situation in the country. Now its cases have started appearing outside the country also. On the other hand, there is a strong increase in the cases of tularemia in America. We are talking about a very rare disease ‘Rabbit Fever’.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently presented a report, which revealed that there has been a significant increase in the cases of rabbit fever (tularemia) in America in the last 10 years. Rabbit fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. The biggest question about rabbit fever is how it spreads.
How does rabbit fever spread?
According to the report of Science Alert, this disease spreads in humans in different ways. It is spread through the bites of infected ticks, deer flies, and direct skin contact with infected animals, such as rabbits and rats. Not only this, sometimes there are bacteria on the nests of infected animals, which also get transferred to the grass and straw. Due to this, a person who cuts grass unknowingly may also get infected. Rabbit fever cases most commonly involve children ages 5 to 9, people ages 65 to 84, and individuals living in Central American states.
When did the infection first occur due to grass cutting?
This mode of infection was first seen in a Massachusetts vineyard in 2000, where an outbreak of tularemia continued for six months. Due to which 15 cases of infection were reported. One person also died in this. Similarly, at least one of the many cases reported in Colorado during 2014–2015 was related to lawn mowing.
very low mortality rate
The CDC is monitoring these cases closely because without treatment they can be fatal. According to CDC reports, the mortality rate in cases of rabbit fever is generally less than two percent. However, the number may be higher depending on the bacterial strain.
2,462 cases reported in 47 states
Talking about its cases in America, between 2011 and 2022, 2,462 cases were registered in 47 states. The CDC has also reported that approximately 1.35 million cases of salmonella poisoning occur annually. Their rarity is such that only one case was reported in 2 lakh people, but between 2001 and 2010, a 56 percent increase in their cases was seen.
Also read- 3 cases of HMPV virus reported in the country, all three infants getting infected; All states on alert, strict monitoring is being done
