Infectious disease detected in hares – Feldkirch

As reported by the state government's veterinary and sanitary affairs departments last week in Nofler Au, near Feldkirch, snowshoe hares were responsible for tularaemia (rabies), an infectious disease of the rabbit and rodents. This is the first case recorded with a hare in Vorarlberg.

Presence until here only in East of Austria

There were until now occurrences in the east of Austria. In the recent past, cases were also known in southern Germany and Switzerland. Tularemia is a bacterial infection. A transfer to the man can not be excluded.

Therefore, it is recommended:

– Do not attack dead rabbits or other rodents with bare hands.

– Eat only cooked rabbit meat.

– Visit the family doctor for flu-like illness with fever and body aches. Timely antibiotic therapy usually works well

Factbox: Tularemia

Pathogen and transmission

Tularemia is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis (with different subspecies). The bacterium mainly attacks wild rabbits, rabbits and rodents such as mice, rats and squirrels, but is also found in the environment (water, soil). Sometimes an animal disease is transmitted to humans (zoonosis). A human-to-human transmission is unknown. Tularämiefälle reported in humans in Austria are often due to contact with hares.

Disease in humans

The period from infection to onset can range from 1 to 14 days, usually 3 to 5 days.

A painless ulcer is formed primarily at the point of contact. Fever, headache, body aches and painful swelling of the regional lymph nodes are common symptoms. Depending on the type of infection, this can result in different pathological processes with different symptoms. Pharyngitis, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Timely antibiotic therapy has good therapeutic success.

Additional information on pathogens, clinical picture, distribution and prevention is available on the internet. https://www.bmgf.gv.at/home/tularaemie