Rabbit plague at two dead animals in the southern circle

Rabbit plague at two dead animals in the southern circle

27/10/2014

A study of two rabbit carcasses has shown that the animals were suffering from the rare and only sporadic hare plague (tularemia). Two attentive hunters had found the animals and arranged the veterinary examination. The disease can also be transmitted to humans, domestic animals and livestock and, in extreme cases, life-threatening.

In a press release, the Veterinary Service for the City and District of Osnabrück has mentioned as a possible means of infection the degeneration, disassembly and transport of the animals by contact with the skin and mucous membrane as well as the inhalation of contaminated material such as dust and the consumption of non-cooked meat.

The symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the place of entry into the body. Fever and swelling of the lymph nodes are among the most common symptoms. Therefore, the ministry recommends keeping away from the carcasses. Even dogs or cats should keep their distance. The authority warns hunters against contact with the infected animals. You should wear disposable gloves and dust-proof respirators and thoroughly cook the meat.

If the suspicion of an infection in found or killed wild game, you should contact the hunting leash or the veterinary service itself. The meat could then be examined in the Food and Veterinary Institute in Hanover.

Illness rarely occurs
The pathogen is a bacterium that can affect a variety of hosts, including humans. Particularly affected are rabbits, wild rabbits and other rodents as well as predators, whose prey spectrum includes the named animals.

The disease is notifiable and occurred in Germany 31 times this year in animals and in 12 cases in humans. Infection occurs via direct contact, through the consumption of infected meat and in rare cases via blood-sucking insects. The infected animals are then usually weak, apathetic, do not flee and have a fever.

Dogs and cats, on the other hand, are largely immune to hare plague. If it comes to an infection, it manifests itself in most cases by loss of appetite, fever and swelling of the lymph nodes, as the veterinary service for city and district Osnabrück announced. (Jp)

Picture: Dirk Kriening