A plague of rabbits in the North of Germany, broken – risk of infection also for humans!

Infectious disease: a plague of rabbits has arrived in lower Saxony

In the district of Celle (lower Saxony) was detected with a rabbit, the infectious disease tularemia (rabbit fever). The bacterial disease can also be transmitted to humans.

The district of Celle, to know about disease case

In the lower Saxon district of Celle, was diagnosed with a single hare tularemia (rabbit fever). As the district reported in a communication, was the animal on the 15. April found on a bike path in the area of Hermann castle-Baven of walkers. An investigation by the food and veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, then brought the findings of the causative agent of tularemia.

Rabbit fever can also be dangerous for people

When tularemia is a bacterial disease caused by the pathogen “Francisella tularensis”.

The infectious disease affects mainly wild species of Hare and rodents.

But it is also to Pets and humans, as well as a case in Switzerland, where last year a young woman after the attack of a bird of Prey with a rabbit plague has infected.

Hunting dogs might be plague Carriers of the Bunny, as Austrian researchers reported.

And in the United States, the disease was transmitted by a cat.

Infected rabbits lose Shy and Flee the country

According to the administrative district Celle of the disease, affected rabbits are usually apathetic, lose Shy and Flee the country, have a fever and high respiratory rate.

Within two to 13 days, most of the animals die from Sepsis (blood poisoning). “In the case of chronic course of symptoms, including emaciation, spleen and liver abscesses”, – stated in the message.

And: “dogs show loss of appetite, fever and a swelling of the lymph nodes.”

Transmission by skin and mucous membrane contact

“A Transfer can by skin and mucous membrane contact with infectious animal material, through the consumption of inadequately heated, contaminated meat or water, take the skin,” explains the district of Celle.

In rare cases, by the bite of an infected blood-sucking insects or ticks, contaminated dusts and aerosols. Transfers from person-to-person are not yet known.

According to the Federal research Institute for animal health, the incubation period in humans is usually three to five days.

Ill show General symptoms such as sudden high fever, malaise, headache, muscle pain and pain in the limbs.

Also skin, eyes and lungs can occur inflammation.

People are susceptible pathogens

Although the district of Celle, currently no reports on the infection of human writes, that there is little probability that a Transmission to humans has taken place.

However, it is not excluded.

“Man is for the pathogen to be very receptive. For infection via the mouth, nose, Lidbindehaut or small skin and mucous membrane injuries, only a few bacteria (10 – 50 bacteria) are necessary,“ says the Bavarian state office for health and food safety (LGL) on its website.

The district of Celle, warns the communication urges against wild animals, and in this case, especially rabbits, to handle or even carry. This applies both for the living and for the dead animals.

Where appropriate, the practice of hunting should be informed and eligible for the appropriate area, which then causes the, if necessary, the further steps. (ad)