The forecast is bad: untreated, a third of those affected die. Some doctors even assume that 60 percent will not survive without help. It is the rabbit plague, also known as tularemia.
Actually, it is an animal disease triggered by the bacterium francisella tularensis. However, the animal can jump to humans from the animal. This has recently been found more frequently in southern Germany.
Similar to the real plague
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Among other things, the rabbit plague leads to long fever. At ulcers form at external entry points of the pathogen into the human body, such as skin injuries. The plague then resembles the clinical picture. Because rabbits or wild rabbits are particularly affected in the animal kingdom, the rabbit plague has occurred.
In addition to admission via injured skin areas, the bacterium can also get into the body via the mouth and nose. The first symptoms of the rabbit plague include fever, headache and body aches, fatigue as well as local inflammation and swelling of the lymph nodes.
It was only in June, in the northern district of Munich, two people were infected with the rabbit plague. The Munich District Office says: “According to the current findings”, the people would have “had no direct contact with wildlife”. It is surprising – and at the same time alarming.
Usually the transfer to humans through infectious animal material takes place, for example in hunting, battles or skinning. An infection via dirty foods or drinking water is also possible – if animal droppings have come. The inhaling of contaminated dust in hay processing can also lead to the rabbit plague.
A tick bite as a transmission path
However, such transmission paths restrict the circle of endangered. The situation is different when infected insects sting or bite. In one of the two cases from the Munich district, a tick seems to have been the carrier of the bacterium. According to the Munich District Office, one of the two people “has now proven to be secured as an infection path”, and the second person is also suspected.
Such a case recently appeared in the district of Mühldorf am Inn, a bit far east of Munich. There, too, the infection seems to be attributed to a tick bite.
Ticks are the transmitters of various diseases. This also includes the rabbit plague. (Photo: Patrick Pleul/DPA central picture/dpa)
Because the infection could be assigned to the right illness in good time, the saving use of antibiotics was possible at an early stage. As it is said, the two sick people from the Munich district are on the way of improvement. The infected person from the district of Mühldorf am Inn also gets antibiotics.
Maybe a high number of unreported cases
Last year, 71 people were registered in Bavaria alone who were ill at the rabbit plague. The trend is rising, as reported on the authorities.
Health offices also speak of a high number of unreported cases when registering the rabbit plague. In principle, the rabbit plague is subject to reporting. But the disease is not recognized in every person. This is increasingly valid for their appearance in the animal kingdom.
In the case of rabbits, the rabbit plague can be fatal within a few days. The sick animals lose their natural shyness, are often heavily emaciated, breathe quickly and have shaped fur. In Baden-Württemberg, the Hasenpest has been found in the Biberach and Sigmaringen counties in the past few months. Field hares were affected.
Increasing infected numbers
Last year, 46 people were infected with the pathogen in the southwest. According to the Ministry of Health in Stuttgart, these are almost twice as many cases as in 2023. At that time, 24 people were affected.
It is not quite clear why the rabbit plague has recently spread again in Germany. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the stocks on field hares and wild rabbits have recovered somewhat. For decades, these animals had been losers of intensive agriculture. However, environmental requirements have improved their life situation.
Cheap climate
Furthermore, according to research, there is the possibility that a milder climate is related to the spread. This does not only meet the reasid growth. It also favors ticks, fleas and mosquitoes – especially when winter and spring are not so cold.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, the pathogen also has an extremely broad host spectrum. Various rodents such as mice, voles and rats as well as rabbit -like animals such as field bunnies and rabbits are particularly affected, but also wild rabbits, carnivores and even birds. In Central Europe, the field harbor was the main source of transmission of the rabbit plague to humans.
A transfer from person to person is also possible
Transfer from person to person through contact with body fluids is possible, reports the Robert Koch Institute. However, it is not recorded whether there are documented cases. A vaccine is not approved in Germany. A vaccine used for laboratory staff until recently in the USA is no longer used there due to limited effectiveness and possible side effects.
Various precautions can be prevented by an infection – for example in gardening, in which it is possible with contaminated particles. Health offices advise gloves and protective clothing to protect skin areas. The hands should be washed thoroughly after garden and forest work. Tick preservatives are also recommended. Wild meat, it is said that you have to get through completely. If you find dead rabbits or rabbits, you should never touch or even collect them.
