Tularemia Hasenpest in Schleswig-Holstein

First case of tularemia detected in a hare

14/11/2014

In Schleswig-Holstein, the first case of hare plague has occurred since the early 1990s. As the responsible for animal disease control Ministry of the Environment in Kiel currently reports that was the technical language as „tularemia“ has been detected in a field hares in the north of the country. Since the hare plague is also transferable to humans, the ministry now advises on precautionary measures.

Ministry advises on precautionary measures
In the northern part of Schleswig-Holstein, the first case of hare plague (tularemia) has been detected for almost 25 years. According to the competent Ministry of the Environment in Kiel, the affected animal was a field hare found dead. Since the tularemia of animals is transmissible to humans (zoonosis), the ministry now urgently advises caution. Accordingly, particular care should be taken, „that rabbits, rabbits or other rodents that have lost their natural shyness, be found indifferent or dead, should not be touched“, so the current press release.

Always cook meat completely
In addition to the preparation and consumption of meat that was not fully cooked, according to the ministry's information, there is a risk of infection, even as a result of deep-freezing, germs in venison would not be killed, but instead remained infectious for months. Accordingly, for example, an infection is also theoretically possible when thawing, so here exercise particular caution and the meat for safety should always be thoroughly cooked. The inhalation of pathogen-containing dust or small blood droplets can in principle have a contagion result, as well as in rare cases, ticks and mosquitoes.

Illness can be life-threatening in humans
For safety reasons, therefore, hunters should send rabbits and rabbits that show neither shyness nor escape behavior as well as animals with abnormal organ findings to the state laboratory for examination, the ministry asks. So far, 13 animals suspected of having been infected with rabbits have been examined in the laboratory this year, with the field hare found being the first positive case since the early 1990s. The recommended precautionary measures seem to have a good reason, because, as the Ministry informs, the disease in humans is very rare, but could take a serious or even life-threatening course. Accordingly, it is important to seek a doctor quickly in case of suspicion of an infection, because the disease is treated early, they could get medication well under control.

Fever, skin ulcers and pneumonia possible
The trigger for tularemia is the bacterium „Francisella tularensis“, even a small number of germs is sufficient for an infection in humans. However, this is very rare, more often the disease affects rabbits and wild rabbits, which makes them known as hare plague, rodent plague or lemming fever. If a person is affected, the tularemia can be very different, depending on the entry point, for example, flu-like symptoms such as fever, but also skin ulcers, blisters in the mouth and throat, pneumonia or conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) can occur.

Even under rodents no tendency to spread
In general, however, no particular tendency to spread tularemia was observed among the rodents. Accordingly, in the years 2006 to 2009 in Lower Saxony „2,205 rabbits and 47 wild rabbits from almost the entire state of Lower Saxony examined. The pathogen tularemia was detected in 29 hares and one wild rabbit“, so the information of the Ministry. In the current year, by contrast, there were only isolated proofs in Lower Saxony until the end of October. (No)