Long Island Reports 4th Case of Rare Tick-Borne Illness Transmissible By Pets

Suffolk County, New York, has confirmed a fourth case of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, a rare bacterial disease that can be transmitted by ticks and infected animals. The latest case involved a woman who contracted the disease after being bitten by her outdoor cat while administering medication. The cat later died from tularemia after becoming infected, likely through contact with wildlife. Earlier cases included a 9-year-old boy who developed severe symptoms after a tick bite to his scalp.

Tularemia can cause high fever, extreme fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and open sores at the bite site, often requiring emergency medical care. Although uncommon, the disease is treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed promptly. Health officials urge people to perform regular tick checks, avoid handling sick or dead wild animals, and seek medical attention if a tick bite develops into an ulcer or is accompanied by severe flu-like symptoms.